MINING INDUSTRY

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 July 1934, Page 2

MINING INDUSTRY

MR P. C. WEBB’S APPEAL.

[SPECIAL to “star.”]

WELLINGTON, July 13.

The reasons why oil-burning machines should be imported free of duty was sought from the Government by Mr P. C. Webb, when speaking during the debate on the report of the Customs Tariff Commission in the House of Representatives this afternoon.

Mr Webb said that if there was one article that coujd stand a substantial duty, it was crude oil. Oil took the place of coal. The coal miner was left idle, railwaymen who carried coal were left with less work, and watersiders and seamen were also adversely affected. The Government of Australia in order to stimulate the coal industry of that country, agreed to pay a bonus on all coal for export purposes. The result was that the companies agreed to sell coal for export at a reduced price. This coal came into the Dominions and took the place of our New Zealand product. Despite the fact, not one man on the Government Benches would raise his voice to protect coal, or speak in favour of a tax on crude oil. When Labour 'reaches the Treasury Benches, it would set up a committee of experts and scientists to ascertain the best method for the extraction of oils from New Zealand products. Every oil-burning machine that was produced took the place of either electricity, produced in the Dominion, or gas produced from New Zealand coal.

Dealing with the gold mining industry, Mr Webb said that the amount of revenue derived from the taxation of gold was aproximately £lOO,OOO per year. That sum should be set aside for stimulating the industry. Every section of the community received protection in some form or other, but the gold mining industry and the mining industry generally was neglected. Mining was one of the stimulating factors in the development of this country. He did not think that there was a miner or anyone associated With the mining industry on the Tariff Commission, and the industry was consequently overlooked. The mining industry was responsible for an earning capacity of somewhere about £5,00(1,000 to £6,000,000 per annum. “I do not wish to see more men working underground if they can find work elsewhere,’’ said Mr Webb. “1 have worked too long underground myself to want others to go there, but until such time as we can adopt a system that will provide full employment for those now working intermittently underground, we have the right to protect their industry to the fullest possible extent. I wish to enter my protest on behalf of the mining industry for the non-inclusion of a very substantial tax on crude oil, which is competing with coal to a very great extent. Every possible gun is loaded against miners and the mining industry. These miners are just as entitled to receive protection as any other section of the community. I would be justified in voting for the free entry of flour and wheat if I took the same narrow view as some members. We do not grow wheat on the West Coast, but feel that those engaged in that industry are deserving of consideration. I want Canterbury members to think the same of those who help them in this way, and I would like farmers to realise that a one-eyed policy of protection or free trade that overlooks an important industry such as mining is a policy that is not likely to put. the country on the map.’’