NEW STATE MINES

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1944, Page 2

NEW STATE MINES

HON. T. O. BISHOP ANSWERED.

WELLINGTON, Aug. 16.

Replying to-day to Hon. T. O. Bishop’s remarks on coal mining, made in the Legislative Council, the Minister of Mines (Mr Webb) said: “Mr Bishop is unable or unwilling to accept my definite statement that the seven coal mining areas purchased by the Stale since the outbreak of the war were acquired in the public interest. He knows quite well, because of his former position as chairman of the Coal Mines’ Council, that one of these areas had never been worked by its owners, and was acquired by the State as an open-cast proposition. Two others had been closed down. These mines were purchased and re-opened by the State in 1940. Of the seven mines the owners of six were desirous of selling ana wanted the State to buy their properties. He also knows that in respect of the seventh property— Stockton —over 18 months ago the owners also wanted to sell to the Government. He also knows that other mines have been offered to the State, and, as the public interest would in no way be served, such offers were declined.. Did Mr Bishop deny that the Government had acquired some of the properties only as a last resort when the owners had virtually refused to continue operations? Mr Bishop, as chairman of the Coal Mines’ Council had advised the Government to acquired the Blackball, Wallsend and Dobson Collieries.