COAL SUBSIDY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23718, 26 July 1940, Page 9

COAL SUBSIDY

CRITICISM OP SYSTEM CASE FOR GOVERNMENT DEFENCE OF THE MINERS [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The payment of a subsidy of £170,000 on coal production was criticised by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, and Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Opposition—Riccarton) during discussion on the estimntes of the Mines Department in the House of Representatives to-night. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, said an increase of Is 6d a ton in the price of coal had been agreed to, but it was difficult to pass this on, and the companies were unable to bear the extra cost. Money From Taxpayers "Before an individual can increase the price of any commodity he has to obtain the authority of the Price Tribunal," said Mr. Kyle. "Does the Government have to do the same? As soon as there is difficulty regarding an increase in the price of any article the Government comes along and pays a subsidy to keep down the cost, but the money has to come out of the pockets of the taxpayers." "This subsidy business will have to end," said Mr. Hamilton. "If we are to keep on paying subsidies for this and that we are going to get out of balance." Reply by Mr. Webb Mr. Webb said the position regarding the price of coal was considered by the Price Tribunal. The contract miners received an increase of 5 per cent to extend over a two-year period. Since 1931 the miners had not had any increase in hewing rates. The average wage of the men who received a7J per cent increase worked out at about £4 a week. "Some members apparently think it is quite all right to pay a bonus out of the Consolidated Fund to regulate the price of wheat and flour," the Minister continued, "but that it is not right to do the same to regulate the Erice of coal. The miners have never een considered so far as their real value to the country is concerned. "No section of the community renders a greater service. These men, who received the increase, are working 44 hours a week. They are working extended hours and receiving no overtime for it." ENEMY PROPERTY TASK OF THE CUSTODIAN [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Thursday The work of. the Public Trustee as custodian of enemy property is referred to in the annual report of the Public Trust Office, presented in the House of Representatives to-day. "The object of the Enemy Property Emergency Regulations is to ensure that no property reaches the enemy or becomes available in the form of foreign exchange to assist him in his war effort," states the report. "Everything is being done in this country to prevent the enemy securing foreign exchange to provide him with war materials. "The principal wcyk of the Public Trustee as custodian enemy property has been the release of enemy goods which had left enemy countries before the outbreak of war> but which arrived in this country after that date. This work has involved a considerable amount of investigation, as there were substantial shipments. "However, everything possible has been done to minimise the inconvenience which the commencement of hostilities created in regard to enemy goods, and every effort has been made to ensure that the goods were available to the importer as quickly as possible."