COAL PRODUCTION

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24101, 21 October 1941, Page 9

COAL PRODUCTION

MINISTER'S APPEAL

GREATER OUTPUT WANTED 'I told them that if the companies stood in the way of greater coal production they would be brushed aside, and that if the unions insisted on holding up production they would suffer the same fare," said the Minister of Mines, the Hon. I\ C. Webb, yesterday, after conferring with representatives of the Northern Miners' Union and Waikato coal-owners. The Minister said he had made an appeal for a settlement of past differences and for maximum production. Mr. Webb said he met the executive of the union in the morning and the owners in the afternoon. Later he had a joint conference with representatives of the two parties, and asked for closer co-operation and a greater effort in the production of coal. "1 pointed out the great responsibility resting on the industry," Mr. Webb continued. "I told them it behoved all parties to pull their utmost weight in the present struggle. I wanted both to know that the country expects of them the greatest possible co-opera-tion. I appealed to them to come together with a united determination to make the maximum war effort in the most practical way. by producing more coal." Mr. Webb said the Coal-owners Association planned to meet to-day to consider means of increasing production. The executive of the union also intended to meet, to look into the matter. The Minister added that he was impressed by the sincerity of all present, and hv their desire to do everything possible.