FUEL FOR RAILWAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 11

FUEL FOR RAILWAYS.

USE OF NEW ZEALAND COAL.

INCREASE IN PROPORTION

AIM OF DEPARTMENT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN' COHnESrONOENT.] HUNTLY. Monday.

The general manager of railways, Mr. 11. 11. Sterling, accompanied by Mr. E. Casey, divisional superintendent for the North Island, arrived at Huntly this morning and met a deputation consisting of officials from the Glen Afton, 'Pukemi ro, Rotdwaro and Renown Miners' Unions, as well as members of the Huntly Town Board.

The deputation was introduced by Mr. W. Lee Martin, M.P.

Dealing with tho shortage of railway waggons at tho local mines, Mr. Sterling, stated that this was purely a seasonal affair, and to maintain rolling stock sufficient to meet every demand was an economic impossibility. To do this a huge amount of capital would be lying idle for (he greater part of the year, and the position had to be considered from a national standpoint. On every possible occasion, however, the aim of the department was to ke?p the mines going.

It was suggested that if more New Zealand coal was used on the railways, Jlr. Sterling said, it would relieve the position locally, and provide more work for miners. Owing to the light nature of the Waikato coal the .consumption of that coal had to be cut down in summer owing to the danger of fires, but every possible effort was being made to use more New Zealand coal. During the past four years the consumption of New Zealand coal had increased from 23 per cent, to 65 per cent. This year the aim was to use 80 per cent, and this aim he thought would be accomplished.