A DESPERATE SITUATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3996, 14 October 1930, Page 61

A DESPERATE SITUATION.

PLIGHT OF MILLERTON MINERS GOVERNMENT ASKED TO INVESTIGATE. WELLINGTON. October 9. A state of starvation exists in the mining township of Millerton, on the West Coast of the South Island, on account of the coal situation, according to statements made by a deputation from the Miners’ Union and others which waited on the Minister of Railways (Mr W. A. Veitch) and the Minister of Mines (Mr A. J. Murdoch). The speakers stated that the position was desperate,, and that little children were being eent to school without food. It was understood there would be no work in the mine next week. The Government was asked to send a representative of the Mines Department to investigate the position. The deputation was informed that a quick decision would be given on the question of sending a representative to the district. It was stated that the difficulty in Millerton was the disposal of the coal produced. The Government had

communicated with the Westport Coal Company, asking it to evolve some System by which the coal could be utilised and the men placed to better advantage' than at present. No reply had yet been received.

WEST COAST MINES.

GREYMOUTH FEELING THE PINCH. CHRISTCHURCH, October 10. Inquiries in Christchurch, whence many of the West Coast mines are controlled, show that the Millerton mine has been working short time for some months past. The coal from Millerton is not very suitable for making gas, and consequently its market is restricted in that direction. Most of Millerton coal is used for bunkering ships, and for the railways, but the railways are using very little fresh coal now. About a month ago, the railways had six months’ supply of coal on hand, compared with their usual holding of three or four months’ supply. They are now using up their heavy stocks before ordering more.

Few mines were working round about Greymoutli, stated one mine director this morning. The town itself was feelhig the pinch, and the shopkeepers were doing little business. He declared that the coal industry of New Zealand should be given more encouragement, as it had carried on without any inflation of prices during the troublous times in Australia.