MR WEBB IN REPLY

Grey River Argus, 16 August 1934, Page 5

MR WEBB IN REPLY

Protection Urgent FREIGHTS A BIG HURDLE. (Our Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, August 15. Discussing the answer io his question in which he had suggested that the State should procure colliers for the purpose of conveying coal to the different ports. Mr P. C. Webb said tha't the existing charges wore far too high. The freight from Greymouth or Westport worked out at about 16s per ton to Picton or Nelson; at about 17s per ton to Wellington, and nt nearly 20s per ton to Napier and Auckland. He was informed that coal was taken from Newcastle to ports in New Zealand at a lower rate than it was very often conveyed alt from Westport and Greymouth to the smallest ports in the Dominion. There were instances where ships had brought coal over as ballast at a very reduced rate. Mr Webb said that the suggestion of the Minister that the State ownership of a number of 1 colliers would not niaterial'y increase the output of State coal wa.i surely wrong. Dlr Webb pointed out that if the Australian coal companies could obtain advantages in freight, in addition to bonus which they were being allowed by their Gov ernment, then the New Zealand coalmine owners wer e being placed at a very great disadvantage. Something must be done to advance the coalmining industry. Every other form of industry was protected, butt coal-min-ing was strangled. One of the most practicable ways to deal with this matter would be to prov’ido Stalte colliers, which could go into places like Wairoa and Foxton. Thus, a considerable reduction could be made in the pric e of the coal to its consumers. Those engaged in the coal industry in New Zealand had to compete with oil and electricity and imported coal. As a matter of fact, coal could stand very substantial duty. If boots were ini ported from Australia free of duty, the local manufacturers would protest at once. If butter were imported, there would be a cry from till parts. Why could not something be done for the coal industry?

Thp mining industry. added Dlr Webb, should receive a far greater consideration than it was receiving from the Government.

As to the question of dealing with thp closing of the Stalte coal depot at Wanganui, it might be true that the depot had no been a financial success, but. it had. nevertheless, acted as a safety valve, and its existence had provided for the disposal of a certain quantity of State coal. In that, respect it had been a beneficial influence •on thp ruling prices. Moreover, it must | ( e remembered thait no coal company could hope to- have all its depots paying their way.