COAL SHORTAGE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1940, Page 5

COAL SHORTAGE

I.M'W STATE MINES TO BE OPENED UP. (Per Press Association—Copyright). f ' ~ WELLINGTON, May 21, /• The re-opening by- the State of two •oolliviries [that have been abandonee by their former owners,, one in Mangapeehi, and ■ the other ( near Oh ura., was announced <by the Minister, of Mines, Hon. P. O. Webb, in a state--hient to-night on- the production of coaL in New Zealand. ‘ " The; Miufster said that much had boon written,’ lately concerning a shortage of coal in‘ the Dominion, and he felt that it was desirable, that he hotild - acquaint the public ; with the facts. The production ofreoal in 1939 wait 2,342,639; toil's," ’an' increase of !2iT751 tons compared with the previous year. Xlje output last year was 'tiic- highest sin‘‘e j 930, aud it }<■:« or.iy been exceeded on' four previous occasions in the history of the Dominion —in 1927•• 1928r1{f29 and 1930. ’ The' importations of coal in 1939, ho said, had amounted to 111,537 tons,' or 2,331 tons more-than in 1938. Mr-Webb said: “The returns for the past year also indicate that the production per man showed a slight improvement' on the previous year, The\ output per man employed underground was two tons higher, at 651 tons, and per man on the payroll, there was an improvement of five-tons at' 492 tons. - . “Over the past five years the con,l sumption in the factories has increased'by T 30,000 tons, and the coal used. , by the 'railway 'locomotives has also • shown a steady increase, the consumption 1 last year being about 15.000 tons higher, than in the , previous year. ; “Up to the; end of December, 1939, the coal situation in this country was quite -.Unfortunately,' sineebthat - time, production has nbb khpt .apaep with consumption, and '£asbeen a very rapid diminutipiLbf tfie stocks held by the industry.; v \ A"”Wties-of unusual events has Contributed to this' position. First, •the: : .'prhdtic£ipn * decresed at the Glen Alton'' .■ colliery, which had been affected bv a disaster which . occurred ; . X. <r 'f *-Tf 1 • . ; towards; the end of, last year: Slips and floodiiig in-the North Island and on*the.West Coqst ’df the South Island "delayed shipping and immobilised a*jiumbetyef wagons, which ifeltrup at the principal col- , •' - - ■ ■ ’ ’“T 'am informed that the loss of. oiit■j put : dpb *tP these' circumstances was • iti tfie,iviein]ty' of (50,000, tons. For. ■ the ‘.first three months .of this year , ;; th’e’production of coal was 35,621 tons . lower "'tiian for the same period in 1'939 } bVit tlie April returns 1 show an ! inicrease' Of 60,000 tons over April of l 1939. Leeway has already been rnada ; that the. returns ' frorn 'iibw. ou will'.continue to show an . improvement. ; ' “I would'also' like 'to emphasise ' that: the pfotracted strike in Australia : .h'£l's.'made it ‘necessary, to supply obaL'frbnrNow Zealand mines for naval - li 1 s t . vessels—vital war requirements, anti f-pf the''blinkeririg of - the. . steamers tarrying footstuffs and produce to England.;'" ‘ . y “We 'hre how on, the eve of the winter', and'coal., temporarily, is in short supply:' I vise the word temporarily, because I am confident that the men eligqged’ ih} the • ooal-mining industry vviQ{: Vise! *;td ’the' occasion,. and will pfhdiicpVtlve coal-. l'poHired to' enable all ;dtir ’iiiUiistriai and transport units iptfimetiou normally, and without interruption,' atid, atffclie? shine time, en"surq.'tlidVpleuty'of fuel will be available for' the domestic needs of tho community: • .“Last 'week I attendee! a meeting of mirie. owners and men, at which a resolution . passed conveying :* pledge- to the- Gdvernirierit to co-oper-ate -yt'o- produce ‘ the coal required in ’'l)on%iph3'Rho.irt Interruption, or delay. .'• ; “Wy appeal goes out now to the Owners; .managers, and. men engaged at the mines to. give full and practical support ;to the Government at this :t-imo,' T and to them I say : ‘Shpw the .pedplq , of.-.,; Iliis ' country what von are Ablp. to ylo;' r . j want ,;to be able, to re'general public, arid -to let tiieriv-: coal- they, require fpr.?thciT ; or-bheir liOine? will V available,to them, and to tell the Minister'b'UißriilWays that he need' not worryabout ‘ redneirig his railway services; "Both the'owners and the men I rea!isctWhat- ’is.--i'W|uired' of therii.. All that: is necessary -is aiietter -Spirit of mutual*" .respect and. goodwill A and earnestness iit this juncture, tfl; set aside any petty d.iffe'fencos which may arise, to serve the nation at this hour faithfully- -ancl well, - than which no l'ighor or more patriotic duty exists. “Finally, ~I: would:like to make it clear that - thV.Goyerriment has been | fully aliyo-to the need for keeping up - tiip ■product,jon bf coal. Tri addition .to; the'.til roe ;Stntc collieries operating, -near - Greyniouth, from which 1,200 tons .daily.is. produced, two other collieries, ’abandoned by former owners; have been re-opened as State coal mines. One of those in Mamrapeelii. tt-comirienees production this week. * other is near Ohurai" It is expected* to commence production within a fortnight. ‘The Goverririien tis also assisting three* other collieries with finance and ■. : technical advice to •• maintain their output, and,in an effo;t to Luce these units on.an economic basis.”-