WASTAGE OF COAL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 16 November 1937, Page 6

WASTAGE OF COAL

POSITION REMEDIED IN WAIKATO COMMENT BY MINISTER | Speci:i 1 to "Tlic Alai I".I WELLINGTON, This Day. "In last year's Statement, 1 commented at some length on the unnecessary wastage of coal which has taken plare over a long period of time in this country. I drew special attention to the slack-coal problem, particularly in the Waikato district, where for a number of years 100,600 tons of slack has been annually dumped to waste.” said the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) in the Mines Statement presented to the House. “I also stated that I had approached the Waikato coal-owners with a view to obtaining their co-operation in regard to the control of screen openings. I am very happy to report that the position in the Waikato district has now completely changed, and it is unlikely that any slack whatever will be wasted during the current year. The operations of Waikato Carbonization. Ltd., the improved market for slack-coal, and the policy of controlling screen openings have brought about this most desirable result, and I wish to place on record my deep appreciation of the co-operation which I have received from the coal-mining companies. “In the Southland district a moderate amount of slack is still being wasted; the position, of course, is not nearly so serious as that which prevailed in the Waikato district, but nevertheless I hope to eliminate the major portion. if not the whole, of this waste by enlisting the assistance of the coalmining companies, particularly in regard to screening. I have not yet had the same co-operation in this respect as I have received in the Waikato district, but I hope that before long voluntary arrangements will be arrived at which will achieve the desired result. Failing the termination of the waste by voluntary methods. I will be 'orced to consider the question of legislation to enable me to deal effectively w-'th the problem.”