USE OF LOCAL COAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20678, 25 September 1930, Page 14

USE OF LOCAL COAL.

WEST COAST DEPUTATION.

BAN ON IMPORTS URGED.

EFFORTS OF GOVERNMENT.

[by TELEIirtAPH. —PRESS .ASSOCIATION. J WELLINGTON', Wertnesdny.

The necessity for extending the use of New Zealand coal in New Zealand and of placing an embargo ori importations was represented to the Government to-day, when a widely-representative deputation from the West Coast (old the acting-Prime Minister, Hon. E. A. Ransom, of the seriousness of the. coal situation, not only as it affected Greymoutli and district, but the whole Dominion.

The deputation was introduced by Mr. J. O'Brien, member for Westland, and Mr. 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, also spoke. Mr. Holland specially urged, with regard to tho reductions in coal orders for the railways, that whatever curtailments wero made should bo spread over a long period, in order to prevent a sudden dislocation.

Mr. Holland said it was unfortunato that six months' notice must be given bofore terminating the reciprocal arrangement with Australia and ho urged tho Government to loso 110 time in giving nol ice.

Tho chief speaker, Mr. Oreenslado, Mayor of Greymoutli, said the question was a national one, and ho had thought it advisable to call all parties together to sec if a better basis for the utilisation of coal could be brought about. Ho suggested that somothing should bo done to assist tho industry. After representatives of West Coast local bodies and others had spoken tho Minister of Railways, tho Hon. \\. A. Vcitch, said tho Railway Department would do everything it could to relievo the position as soon as possible and a determined and consistent effort would be mado to reach the ideal point of 100 per cent, consumption of New Zealand coal on the railways. Tho Minister said no Australian orders were pending and there were no contracts in existence. It was not proposed import coal from Australia for the lailwajSj Mr. Ransom said tho Government did not wish hastily to impose an embargo, or without first of all considering tho possible ad verso effect 011 the country of retaliation with respect to other commodities. Fie gave an assurance that tho Government was doing all it could to encourage the use of greater quantities of New Zealand coal in the Dominion. Tho Minister of Mines, tho Hon. A. J. Murdoch, said they were endeavouring to gain the co-operation of all users of imported coal and to induce them to uso. New Zealand coal and were approaching gas companies, some of which wero the first offenders in tho matter of importation. Tho department, was also arranging to prevent the further production of coal by declining to issue further leases. Officers of the department would bo instructed to use their utmost endeavours to induce the use of New Zealand coal in industry and homes.