CARBONISATION OF COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20242, 30 April 1929, Page 10

CARBONISATION OF COAL.

minister enthusiastic. CONFIDENCE IN POSSIBILITIES. [by telegraph—own correspondent.] HAMILTON, Monday. The attitude of the Government toward investigations being carried out in the carbonisation of coal was defined by the Minister of Mines, Hon. W. A. "Veitch, this evening, when a deputation from the Huntly Town Board asked what possibility there was of the scheme coming to fruition, thus giving added stimulus to the mines.

"I am very enthusiastic about the carbonisation principle," said the Minister. "I sincerely think that it will overcome the disabilites that arise in every part of New Zealand. The Govermeut could not do very much except use its influence to persuade the Waikato coal companies to establish a plant themselves. It would not ho wise for an outsider to establish a sJant." The Minister said ho thought the companies should be able to set up a plant very shortly, and if this were done other plants would follow quickly. It only required a demonstration to make a success of the scheme. The Mines Department was fullv confident of its success.

Speaking at a complimentary dinner tendered to the Minister in the evening, Mr. E. S. Wright, managing director of the Pukemiro Collieries, said that if unanimity could bo obtained among the owners a plant would be erected in the Waikato. The slack would be treated first, as only this could bo treated at present. If the ii.ferior grades could bo eliminated there was a great future ahead of the industry.