COAL QUESTION

Southland Times, Issue 21197, 25 September 1930, Page 8

COAL QUESTION

.SERIOUSNESS STRESSED EMBARGO ON IMPORTATIONS SOUGHT DEPUTATION TO- MINISTERS (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, September 24. The necessity for extending the use of New Zealand coal in New Zealand and of placing an embargo on importations, was represented to the Government to-day when a widely-representative deputation from the West Coast stressed to the Hon. E. A. Ransom the seriousness of the coal question, not only as it affected Greymouth and district, but the whole Dominion. Mr Ransom replied that the Government did not wish to hastily impose an embargo without first of all considering the possible adverse effect on the country of retaliation in respect to other commodities. An assurance was given that the Government was doing all it could to encourage the use of greater quantities of New Zealand coal in the Dominion.

The deputation was introduced by Mr J. O’Brien, M.P. for Westland, and Mr H. E. Holland also spoke. Mr Holland specially urged in regard to the reductions in coal orders of the railways that whatever curtailments were made should be spread over a long period in order to prevent sudden dislocation. He said it was unfortunate that six months’ notice must be given of the terminating of the reciprocal arrangement with Australia and he urged that the Government should lose no time in giving notice. The chief speaker was Mr Greenslade, Mayor of Greymouth,, who said that the question was a national one and he thought it advisable to call all parties together to see if a better basis of coal utilization could be brought about. He suggested that something should be done to assist the industry. Other speakers were Mr W. Endean, M.P. for Parnell, Mr McLean, chairman of the Grey Harbour Board and Chamber of Commerce, Mr Mulcare representing the Grey County Council, Mr Parfitt representing the Grey Power Board, Mr McTaggart, Mayor of Runanga, Mr Davis representing mineowners, Mr Smeaton, Mayor of Brunner, and others.

The Hon. W. A. Veitch said that the Railway’ Department would do everything it could to relieve the position as soon as possible and a determined, consistent effort would be made to reach the ideal point of 100 per cent, consumption of New Zealand coal on the railways. To Mr McLean he replied that no Australian orders were pending and there were no contracts in existence. It was not proposed to import coal from Australia for the railways. The Minister of Mines (the Hon. A. J. Murdoch) said that they were endeavouring to gain the co-operation of all users of imported coal to induce them to use New Zealand coal and were approaching the gas companies, some of which were first offenders, in the matter of importation. The Department was also arranging to prevent the further production of coal by declining the issue of further leases. Officers of the Department would be instructed to use the utmost endeavours to induce the use of New Zealand coal in industry and homes.