COAL MINERS’ DECISION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 29 April 1942, Page 4

COAL MINERS’ DECISION

TO WORK ONE SATURDAY A FORTNIGHT PROSPECTS FOR WINTER Wellington, This Day. The intention of the coal miners to work one Saturday each fortnight from May to September inclusive, and also to work on May Day and on the King’s Eirthday, the latter two days being agreement holidays, was announced by the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, when discussing the coal situation in the Dominion in an interview last evening. He said this decision of the miners to assist relieve the situation was much appreciated by the Government, and would be welcomed by the general public. As a result the Mining Controller advised that he would be able to release supplies of kitchen coal from the Waikato.field for household use. The Minister said that he was advising the secretary of the Coal Owners’ Association of the miners’ decision, and informing him that the Government desired it to be made known that all collieries must be opened and made .available for work on the holidays and Saturdays referred to. INCREASE IN CONSUMPTION There had been heavy increases in industrial and railway consumption of coal in the North Island, with the result lliat some curtailment of supplies for domestic use had been unavoidable. Mr Webb said. This expansion ip consumption had been brought about by the extension of the war to the Pacific, but it was not possible to give any details of this at present. “A number of people are becoming concerned as to the prospects for the winter months, and are naturally anxi ous to have some definite idea as to the position,” said Mr Webb. ‘‘l do not think there is any need for alarm, nor is there any real need to fear a cheerless and cold winter. It is true that we would like to see a big improvement in our stock position in some places, but unfortunately the rising tide of consumption has precluded much progress being made in this direction.” Discussing the output from the mines the Minister said that last year the production of coal amounted to 2.639.507 tons, which was a record for the Dominion. For the first three months of this year there had been an increased output of 33.000 tons, or 5 per cent, more than for the same period last year. The output per man employed underground in 1941 was 726 tons, or 56 tons higher than in the previous year. This figure had only been exceeded once, and that was in 1916. when 752 tons were produced. The output per person on the payroll in 1941 was 528 tons, or 30 tons higher than in 1940, said the Minister. Only twice in this country had the 1941 figure been exceeded. That was in 1915 and 1916. when the outputs were 532 tons and 566 tons respectively. These facts did not lend support to the views which were sometimes expressed that the miners had not exerted themselves to increase production under war conditions—P.A.