STATE COAL MINES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 October 1934, Page 2

STATE COAL MINES.

[to the editor.] Sir, —Please allow me a little space in which to give an enlightenment once [more to the people of Greymouth and 'district, on a subject which is far from being satisfactory, and indeed is worse an general than before, i.e., slack time at the State Mines. While the promise has been given of better woi king time, the Liverpool mine has not increased its quota, and the Janies mine has worked less. While at the same time giving thought to the many causes, it is well to give the public a gentle reminder that the question is jiot dropped, but just about to begin. To-day will see the departure ot one of the strongest petitions (containing 260 signatures) ever sent front. Greymouth, a combined movement of business and industry, demanding a cooperation for better marketing. Surely, we are not going to let such a thing go unsupported. This petition is signed by every business factor in Greymouth and district, calling for a revival in an industry that is not dying, but being throttled for other reasons. Now on what grounds is this petition based? Byproducts, bricketting plants, tax on all imported coal and oils, use of State coal by all State departments, and other things requiring explanation. There is sontething wrong somewhere, and only an inquiry can ever fathom it, and this question will never be dropped until it *s granted. When mayors, lawyers, J’s.P., and Councillors sign a petition, it is sufficient to start a war so why not take the mis-rule from the industry and let it be an asset to the country, as it should be, and not a liability. If the State coal mines could make over £3OOO profit, and only work halftime, and pay an overhead staff fulltime, then the half-time we don t work would be free of any expenditure, it is a queer state of affairs to sa>, “which is true,” that when mines are working slack time, pillars are more dangerous to work in, and yet, the rate •of compensation for accidents undei these circumstances is less and the risk greater. In the meantime, the men do a starve on a paltry two and a-haif days a week. Yours, etc., WILLIAM PENDLEBURY, Runariga.

P.S.: Queer as it seems, the Minister of Mines gave a promise not to grant any more new leases, yet two new ones have been granted recently. Now", wbat I would like to know is, if the James State mine can only .work two and a-half days per week, . how can anyone account for the granting ot more leases in the same area, and practically the same nature of coal.— W. P.