CARBONISATION WILL SOLVE PROBLEMS OF COAL USERS IN N.Z.

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7170, 18 March 1930, Page 7

CARBONISATION WILL SOLVE PROBLEMS OF COAL USERS IN N.Z.

Railway Precautions MINISTER’S BRIGHT VIEW OF INDUSTRY’S FUTURE INCREASED DEMAND PREDICTED. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. That a one hundred per cent use of New Zealand coal will bo made possible by the establishment of coal carbonisation plants in tho Dominion is the opinion of tho Minister of Mines (Hon. W. A. Veitch) as expressed to a deputation which waited on him to-day from tho United Coal Miners’ Association.

In replying to a suggestion of the deputation that a greater percentage of New Zealand coal should be used on the railways, the Minister said that the position in the Waikato was most unsatisfactory and he was doing his best to improve it. For several months in the dry season, the Railway Department could not use tho lighter coal product in the Waikato, for fear of setting fire to the countryside. There were two ways in which it was hoped to ovorcomo that problem. In tho first place, a new device had been invented, whereby a steam jet was introduced into the firebox of tho locomotive and it was hoped that by the use of this attachment, tho lighter coals would bo used all tho year round. Tests were being carried out at present and if tho results proved sufficiently satisfactory to warrant tho Minister of Railways in fitting locomotives with tho device, tho deputation could be sure Mr. Taverner would have the engines so equipped. “I am not altogether sure about the device,” Mr. Veitch added, "and it may not of course work out.” “In the second place,” he continued, “I am doing everything in my power to induce tho establishment of coal carbonisation plants in different parts of tho Dominion. If we can get these going, wc can easily and will certainly reach a point at ■which not only the railways but everybody in New Zealand can use 100 per cent of New. Zealand coal. That is what wo arc aiming at.”

In reply to another point raised by the deputation, the Minister said that if ho did agree to tho opening up of more coal leases, it would only be on condition that very careful provision was made against monopolies, particularly in regard to prices. “Furthermore,” he added, “I am so confident of the future of the coalmining industry in New Zealand as a result of these coal carbonisation plants, that I believe we will require a great deal moro coal than wo have ever had before and we will be able to use up tho slack coal to much greater advantage. Our miners will not only be working under much better conditions but people will bo supplied with better coal at a lower price and that without any wage reductions.”