COAL CONTRACTS

Northern Advocate, 3 October 1930, Page 7

COAL CONTRACTS

FURTHER INQUIRIES,

(Per Press Association. —Copyright.)

WELLINGTON. Thursday. .Several further cpiestious relating to Waikato coal .contracts were .asked in flic House vesterday.

Replying to Mr W. Lee .Martin (Labour, Raglan), who asked whether there was any arrangement between lire Tam piri Coal Company, Limited, and the Glen Afton. Collieries, Limited, concerning the supply under the- recent contract, tire Hon. W. A. Veitch, Minister of Railways, said that the Department’s contract was with Tanpiri, and was for the -supply by that company to the Department of Waikato ,oal of a. quality approved by the Department at, the price- specified in the

contract. Whether the coal was >ohr tained by the Tanpiri Company from its own mine or from some other mine in the Waikato did not affect -the contra c.t, provided the quality met with the approval of the. Department. To Mr .1. S. Fletcher (Independent, Grey Lymi), the Minister replied that the Ta-upki Company was free to -obtain supplies from any male in the Waikato that would supply coal -of th-o requisite quality. The Department looked to the Tanpiri Company alone for Hie 'fulfilment of the contract. ..Mr Martin asked the Minister of Alines what steps would be taken to find employment for the miners of the Piikemiro, Renown and W-aipa collieries who were now working half-time, due to the recent loss of contracts by the mines..

Tire Hon. A. ,T. Murdoch replied that it was anticipated; that heavier outputs in certain of the Waikato mines would necessitate increased numbers of minors being employed, and should absorb those at present working short time.