Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 15th., 1928. MINING MATTERS.

Grey River Argus, 15 December 1928, Page 4

Grey River Argus SATURDAY, December 15th., 1928. MINING MATTERS.

The decision of the -Minister, Don Mr Veitch, to visit the West Coast at an early date i.s of interest in view of the changing fortunes of the mining industry. The State ought to be taking a bigger share than it lias done latterly in the work of development. This applies both to coal and gold. The prospect of increased competition from Australia on the coal market is one demanding attention. Not only is there a call for greater enterprise in the marketing of the product of the State Mines, but the exploitation of the State deposits calls for the application of modern processes, especially such as will do away with present waste or loss upon small or slack coal. A plant for that purpose could be made a starting point for - further modernisation, such as that of which private capital is to give an example in the Ngakawau district. The suggestion wa.s made at yesterday ’s Chamber of Commerce meeting that an ideal centre for works to extract by-products from West Coast coals would be in the vicinity of Stillwater, which certainly would be central for the Inangahua, Grey Valley. State and other collieries. YVheii private interests have already an eye to operation in this district, there seems no reason why the State, with its resources, should neglect its opportunity. Certainly. every encouragement is to be given to new development on scientific lines at this juncture, when the industry is on the threshold of a new’ era. The immediate indications are for some reduction of prices in New Zealand, as the result of the Australian attempt Io capture a bigger share of the market, so that the ease yesterday advanced before the Chamber of Commerce for a readjustment of the railway freights on coal from a number of tlie mines is a reasonable one. The Minister will doubtless have Io consider the relation of the State and co-operative mines, and it, is onlv fair to urge that the present State employees should have their interests safeguarded,

so as to ensure them better lime than they have been having forquite a long period. In some respects the Mines Department has shown a good example by its consideration for the community interests of its mine workers, and the new Minister will doubtless continue in this direction, so that the State Mines community may f>e confident, of the early installation of a water supply, with State assistance. The Hon Mr Veitch would do well also to devote attention during his visit to the gobi mining industry, which, although languishing, might be made a great national asset with adequate encouragement to. prospect and produce. Gold is an export second to none in reliability. and when industries of. less potential worth are subsidised, this one ought to be fostered to i similar degree. The pojicy ot the Mines Department has tend ed towards that of the go-slow for many years past, and if the administrative change should, galvanise it into renewed activity, the result must be to promote the Dominion’s prosperity