COAL IMPORTATIONS

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 January 1938, Page 7

COAL IMPORTATIONS

MORE PROTECTION URGED

RISING COSTS BURDEN

[per press association.]

WELLINGTON, January 20.

Dealing with the importation of coal into New Zealand, Mr C.. C. Davis, president of the Coal Mine Owners’ Association, at the annual meeting of that body, stressed that too much coal was imported. There had been no diminution over the past five or six years: in fact, the 1936 figures were the highest for five years, 111.07 S tons. With the coal resources NewZealand possessed, it was entirely wrong that even this quantity should find its way to the New Zealand markets from overseas. With higher wages, shorter hours, and costly conditions, the industry had to bear in this country, some measure of protection should be provided to enable this considerable tonnage being provided from New Zealand’s own mines. The little extra distance from Newcastle afforded no protection, for the transport costs from the West Coast to. say, Auckland were just as high, or higher.

Referring to improved trading conditions in 1937, some of which were reflected in the coal industry, he said, I that unfortunately, the ever-mounting cost of mining, and, to almost an equal extent, the cost of transport, necessi-! tated higher prices for coal, and fori this reason much of the benefit of; returning prosperity found its way to' competitive sources of heat and power, rather than to the coal industry.! The existing mines in New Zealand were fully equipped, and were capable of supplying New Zealand's full requirements, and it was therefore very obvious that the opening of any further mines was unnecessary, and were would only add to the difficulties of the existing companies, without. affording benefit to anyone. The miners were now earning good wages, and when the time came for a renewal of their agreement, it was hoped that the miners’ organisation would recognise the impossibility of loading further costs on to the own-) ers, which would only jeopardise the industry that found them emp 1 oyment.