COAL PRODUCTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 9

COAL PRODUCTION

REQUIREMENTS OF INDUSTRY BALANCED PLAN NECESSARY OWNERS AND MINERS TO MEET (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON, Jan, 11. A conference of coal mine owheri and miners to consider the whole question of coal production in New Zea* land and to plan a system that wu) meet the requirements of the industry is to be- held shortly in Wellingtor. at the instance of the Minister oJ Mines (Mr P. C. Webb). In an inter view this evening, the Minister said he was at present in touch with tht respective organisations to see whei it would be convenient for them to meet, He hoped it would be thii month. ■ . ' •' , Outlining the object of the conference, the Minister said that some coals were ideal for household purposes but unsuited for gas-making, while others contained a high percentage of sulphur, which prohibited their use on the railways, especially where tunnel work had to be done. There were lignite coals, which did not stand exposure to the atmosphere. ■ ;-i "In short. I want a balanced jjlan to meet our requirements," Mr Webb said. "With the reduced importation of Australian coal, substitutes must be found. A certain type of gasmaking plant, known as a vertical retort, was difficult and expensive to operate with coal subject to swelling, Manv of New Zealand's best coals possessed that property, so that, while highly suitable for horizontal retort worki they were not so suitable lor vertical retort plants. That was another problem to be discussed. The organisations to be represented at the conference are the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Association ana the coal mine workers of New Zealand.