COAL MOLD-UP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 7 August 1931, Page 5

COAL MOLD-UP

MINISTER SPEAKS OUT

UNFORTUNATE CONDITIONS ON COAST AUSTRALIAN IMPORTATIONS ESSENTIAL AT PRESENT (From “The Mail’s” Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, 6th August. The assertion that tho continual interruption of mining activities on the West COiist had been responsible for importations of Australian coal was made in l tie House to-day by the Minister oi Transport (the Hon. W. A. Veitcli). Ho urged the Labour loaders to use their influence to stabilise conditions on tho West Coast and so bring down the prico of coal to flic consumer. “Is the Labour Party taking its instructions from New South Wales or Moscow?” asked Mr Veitcli. The Railway Department bad been criticised somewhat severely for purchasing 40,000 lons of coal from New South Wales, but it had been compelled to do this in view of tho disturbances on the West Coast. There was one course open to the Leader of tho Labour Party and that was to make an effort to prevent difficulties in future. , „ . Mr H. E. Holland: “I am prepared to take that course by voting the Government out.” Mr Veitcli said the chief difficulty on the West Coast was lack of continuity j; service by those engaging in the coal mining industry and the heavy expense involved through workers slopping work without notice or reasonable justification. It cost the State Mines Department something like £3OO a day in overhead expenses every time the men stopped work and that naturally ed the cost of coal to tho public. One of the main causes of the trouble, seemed to bo a dispute between the mining leaders and they bad skilfully transferred it to tho watersiders who worked in Westport for the Railway Department. The result of tho holdup had been that the people of Mr Holland’s electorate had suffered. “I suggest to tho Leader of the Labour Party,” said Mr Veitch, “that he should endeavour to bold a conference qi miners with a view to their settling their differences. If bo used bis platform eloquence and ability ns a loader to influence the miners against the destruction of the coal mine industry on tho West Coast, I am sure bo would do a tremendous amount of good,” said Mr Veitcli. Unless the cost of mining on the West Coast was reduced there would be a continuation of imports from Australia and as a result the effect on tho mining industry would be serious indeed. Before a higher import duly could bo placed on Australian coal disputes would liavo to end and a guarantee given that the service would be continuous and costs reduced in a rational way. If this assurance was given, the Government could consider the question. It was only fair to state that the trouble did not seem to have spread to other mining districts in the Dominion.