DEMAND FOR COAL

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 2

DEMAND FOR COAL

Minister Shows Big

Increases

P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, June 12. Figures not previously announced were quoted by the Minister for Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb) this evening to explain the extent of the demands for increased production made on the coal industry in New Zealand. The demands of the Railways Department were increasing and they were now 200,000 tons a year more than was required in 1935. An additional 170,000 tons was demanded to meet the expansion of secondary industries, and an additional. .200,000 tons was required for the generation of more electricity for tne North Island. The military camps, were also consuming huge quantities, he said.

‘■'The industry has never been more determined to pull its full weight in the wai' effort than at this moment,’ said Mr Webb. The coal situation in the southern districts of the South Island was serious, because a large number of young men had been called into the armed forces. The manpower question arose in other coalproducing fields, and arrangements Pad been made by the Mines Department, supported by the War Cabinet, for the release of. 300 miners. Production on the West Coast was well up, and the miners were doing a good job of work. Of course, shipping there was the difficulty. Harbour bar conditions occasioned by bad weather impeded the coal mining operations. Arrangements had been made by which the waterside workers and the Railways Department would work the week-ends, and the clock round, if necessary to expedite the discharging and loading of ships. “This will, it is estimated, provide 25 per cent, additional shipping,’’ said Mr Webb.

Production from the mines in the North Island was excellent, and was improving every day, and the public could rest assured that to the extent that, miners were available the industry would face its obligations to the public. The uncertainty and

difficulty of shipping between Australia and New Zealand had placled a greater demand upon the bituminous gas-producing coal from the West Coast. The greatly increased demand for coal by the Railways Department was accounted for by the longer distances of haulage of cargo to ports where a concentration of shipping was taking place, and the many military transport trains which were being run, said the Minister. The concentration of shipping at several ports had been decided on in order to turn ships round at the utmost speed and to make the best use of the vessels. ;