CORRESPONDENCE

Grey River Argus, 22 March 1935, Page 6

CORRESPONDENCE

Coal Carbonisation ON WEST COAST. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In view of the important project to form a company for the purpose of establishing on the AVest Coast- the coal carbonising industry, I feel it is timely to comment on the great opportunity offered by the State coal venture for such a development. I note that there has to be foreign or outside capital enl'isted for the project in view, whilst in the meantime our lethargic and unprogressive Government sits back and secs its own mines gradually slowing down and moving t.o the point of actually closing down. The effect of this setback is to increase unemployment, and make the lot of the miners harder than ever. AVould it not be wise for the State to take the lead in this process of carbonisation? Obviously it is what is needed for the coal industry. AVould there he any liability incurred? A greenhorn could answer that. AVhy should New Zealand’s wealth bo neglected whilst our money is sent to patronise that of oversea countries? As to the financing of a State coal carbonisation scheme, the funds very largely could be obtained by a moderate tax on the imports of crude oil and oil-burning engines could also contribute until such time as they began using New ZealancLoil fuel. Such a carbonisation plant would be public property, and the State could largely obtain from it supplies of fuel for petrol trains and other vehicles using internal combustion engines.

It is a wonder fapw the people can tamely sit down and allow such a state of affairs as is entailed by the fact of the AVest Coast mines working only half-time while the business community are 11 doing a freeze.’’ The mining industry is in a deplorable state hut one must still hope that something may come out of the projected process of carbonisation. I am, etc., W. PENDLEBURY. Runanga. CHRTSTCITURCH, March 21. Information as to an English firm having placed before it the results of investigations regarding coal carbon isation possibilities on the West Coast was obtained from the Mavor of Greymouth, Mr J. AV. Greens’lade, who is attending the Municipal Conference. He said he was not at I’berty, until som? conclusion had been reached in the matter, to state cither the name of the English company concerned or the extent to which the negotiations had progressed. Resolutions wore passed at manv meetings .on the AVest Const expressing confidence tli?it such an industry would prove a success, and emphasising the groat imnetus th«t its commencement in New Zealand would give the coal mining industry.