HOURS IN MINES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24969, 11 August 1944, Page 2

HOURS IN MINES

NO CHANGE DURING WAII MINISTER'S STATEMENT (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Thursday In reply to the statement made with respect to minors' hours by the Associated Chambers of Commerce, the Minister of Minos, Mr Webb, said that ho had already made it perfectly plain that there was rio intention to introduce a seven-hour working day during the period of war and while coal was in relatively short supply. "It is noted," said the Minister, "that, the Chamber of Commerce refers to 'small patches' of coal in the North Island which can be worked by openeast methods, I would point nut that the areas already proved contain over J,000,000 tons of coal in the North Island, and investigations of other likely areas are still proceeding. A conservative estimate of the coal which can be won by open-cast means in the West Coast is 25,000,000 tons, and the probable quantity, subject to further investigation, is very much greater. Power Production Suggestion

"The suggestion of the chamber that coal from Charleston should be used to generate electricity in the South Island in preference to water power is unsound. It is clearly in the best interests of tliv Dominion to utilise water power, where it is available, for the development of electricity, and to conserve the conl for posterity. "I notice that the Chamber of Commerce predicts that the possible benefits to bo derived from the development oi open-cast mining will be offset by reductions in outputs from the underground mines. Although there are variations in output in some of the mines in' the Dominion, I would point out that of the State mines on the West Coast the Liverpool is the only colliery which shows a decrease in production this year. The plain truth is that an effort is heing made to stir up mischief in respect of open-cast, mining, and i urge the miners to disregard this propaganda and support the Government in its efforts to improve the coal situation in the Dominion. Mossbank Colliery

"The reference to the Mossbank colliery is most unfair," continued the Minister. "The State lias no desire whatever to acquire tho colliery and has declined offers made to it in the past to l)iiv the mine. Tho State has already assisted this initio to tho extent of over £SBOO to keep it in operation, hut tho company has been unable to develop tho colliery into a reasonably efficient unit. Recently the Government had a full investigation made of the area and this showed clearly that further capital expenditure on boring and for plant was essential, and, as the company is unable to iind this money the Government has been obliged to place a limit on the amount of financial assistance it is prepared to extend to an inefficient proposition. At the same time, the State indicated that it would be willing to take over the mine on the basis of its liquidation value, ll the company can dispose of its property on better terms, there will be no objection raised by the Government. "Finally, the .Mining Controller asks me to say that he flatly denies that since 1911 he has controlled the disposal of the output from the mine in the manner indicated by the Chamber of Commerce. Furthermore, he challenges the chamber to prove that he has required this company to sell any coal which he directed should be supplied to the railways or any other consumer at prices less than they voluntarily accepted prior to any such direction' or at prices lower than other collieries in the district producing a similar class of coal are receiving."

OVERSEAS CRICKET

AUSTRALIA AND ENGLAND (0.C.) SYDNEY, Auft. » Preparations are beinjf made for an Australian all-Services cricket team to play in Britain immediately the war ends. The Prime Minister. Mr J. Curt in. discussed the match with prominent cricket officials during his visit to Britain recently It is believed a team will probably bo sent to Australia from England in the following summer to resume the test series. Although Australia's team to play in Britain would be drawn largely from members of the Ii.A.A.F. now in Britain, plans are being discussed for arranging that other branches of the services should also be represented This will be done by drawing on Australians in the Army and Navy who are either in Britain now or will be sent there for special duties before the war ends. With the assistance of prominent Australian cricketers now in the services in Australia, a list of top-notch servicemen cricketers who could lie included in the team for Britain is already being compiled. The Australian cricketer W. A. Oldfiold is stated to be one of those helping to compile the list. A panel of names, including men who played test, inter-State or first grade cricket before the war, has hren prepared. The aim of cricket enthusiasts in both Australia and Britain is that (lie game should be resumed as quickly ns possible afler the war. RUGBY FOOTBALL Match at Pukekohe.—The South Auckland Rnirby team to meet the Auckland Colts at Pukekohe tomorrow is as follows: —Fullback, G. Noyle (Pukekohe); threequarters, G. Kahi (Pukekohe), P. Loiighrin (Pukekohe), R. Smith (Wninku); five-eighths, P. Rodger* (Pukekohe), L. Bright (Waiuku); halfback, V. Miller (Pukekohe); forwards. W. Cox (Waiuku), R. Rickit (Pukekohe), 11. W.vlie (Pukekohe), T. Holmes (Waiuku). R. Kemp (Waiuku). V. Conro.v (Waiuku). S. McClean (Pukekohe), W. Holes (Waiuku). Reserves: Forwards, 11. Craig (Waiuku). I?. Holmes (Waiuku), C. Lisle (Pukekohe); barks, F. Jakeman (Waiuku), M. Bo.vce (Pukekohe), F. Martin (Waiuku). Inter-Schools' Contest.—ln a Rugby match between the first fifteens of Tauranga and Rotorua High Schools at Rotorua yesterday the visitors won by 0 points to 3. GOLF COMPETITIONS Akarana Ladies.—L.G.U. medal:—Silver division: Mrs 11. G. Lovell, !).">, 17—78; Mrs G. Parker. !)3, 15—78. The latter won on the re-count. Bronze division: Mrs V. Crichton, 10<>. •->(> —71: Mrs .1. A. Redwood, 108. 31 —77. Titirangl Ladlos.—L.G.TJ. medal competition —Silver Division: Mrs It. S. Deighton, 84. (i—7B; Mrs P. Andrew, f)7, o—BB.0 —88. Bronze division: Mrs M. Honeyfield, 1().">, 2fi—Bo; Miss W. Todd. 11-1. 'J7—S7; Mrs M. Altwood. 1 1 I. 01. GIRLS' BASKETBALL Win for Rotorua.—A basketball match played at Rotorua yesterday between teams representing the Tauranga and Rotorua Girls' High Schools resulted in a win for the latter, 17—1 I.