THE COAL INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21054, 17 June 1930, Page 13

THE COAL INDUSTRY.

, IMPORTATIONS FROM AUSTRALIA. PROTECTIVE MEASURES URGED. . CPe® Ukitep Press Association.) -ru T, II WESTPORT. - June 16. . •‘■he -Duller Progress League has'addressed, the: following letter to the Prime Minister ; (Mr G. W. Forbes) • on the coal importations, question:—, ‘ Following' onr short letter telegram of June sto yourself.-as Prime Minister, m which it was pointed out that The subsidy of ,3s 3d per ton' allowed hy-the: An*. ' tralian, Government on coal exported, to • ' New Zealand gave Australian coal an uin fair advantage, and in which we urged that • a dumping duty should be imposed or some other adjustment''made to .place the New Zealand industry on an-' even competitive basis, we now wish to empha-’ sme thn gravity of the situation, and facts*—'- to point out .. Die following * L We understand- that the subsidy of 3s 3d is independent ,of any reduced cost of production obtained under the new agreement between the owners and the nien, in New Soutb :Walea, and-the reßult may pe that ‘.a' greater reduction' than the amount already mentioned may come into force. ■ ’ 1 . .-■> 2,- New Zealand is able and willing. to, supply all 1 the coal required Tor its own ■> use, .including gasworks and railways. Ihm has been proved, during the duration the Australian trouble. Further, both ' the Dunedin and gas undertakings have publicly announced thit New Zealand coals are eminently suitable for purposes. K 3. .We wisp to. stress the loss .of revenue to. Government departments ia - royalties,. railway freights, port -charges, etc., caused by any reduction of output from our ; coal fields, and -also the great tear of farther unemploymentto miners, waterside workers, railwayman, carters, and others. . "L The. balance, of; trade between the two countries'is .all ih favour of Australia, as she'pfoduces manw products that are notnatural TofNew Zealand, .while practically, all*, of- our-producte are also natural to Australia, and -are not allowed ® , er ™_e latter v country except under a high protective itariff.l . “ ®*‘ Coal is •. not > included in - the reciprocal Customs - agreement with Australia. '. ’ , " • - ■ “®* We feel we are'safe in stating that the; cost of New coal will not be increased should the protection we urge be given, and the consigners can rely on continuity of supply. Should . anything, however, occur to break these two hecasthe restrictions could be lifted by the Government. . I* 7 - We Ruggest that in the near future the Government should call-a con- - ference of all th® parties connected -tntii: the industry, including the Government, the cpalowners, miners, and shipping, and. other interests with .a view to plaeing’the industry on a' better basis and St the . same time reducing the price ofcdal tothe consumer.' ..v.-,, “lb conclusion, we wish to . state that the above are our considered views expressed in all sincerity with the object of assisting the country in overcoming part of its present financial difficulty and at the same time to protect-one of our largest industries, and we trust that you will recognise this matter as one of urgency and act accordingly.” - ' _The Prime Minister'has written to - the Progress, League as follows: With reference, to :your • .telegram; of ■ June 5 I haveto. confirm.my.ielegram .on ’1 June 6, reading aa follows:—‘I have received your telegram and have rioted your representations, regarding Australian coal. I shall be glad to give the' matter earnest consideration. I may say that on .May .31 when it was published in the press that certain concessions were to be made to the coal industry in New South Wales, the; -New Zealand Government? cabled to its representative in Sydney asking him to forward full particulars of the proposals. You. may■ rest assured that as soon ‘as the necessary informatiori comes to hand the Government will carefully consider what action should be taken.”