A BUSY COAL INDUSTRY

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 6

A BUSY COAL INDUSTRY

Higher Production . In June MINERS WORKING AT PRESSURE HARMONY BETWEEN MEN AND OWNERS Wellington, July 30. During June this year the production of coal in New Zealand was 20 per cent, higher than in June last year, and during last month the men in the coal mines of the Dominion were working at higher pressure than at any period during the last six or seven years. These facts were given by the Minister of Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb). Mr Webb stated that there was more harmony throughout the coal industry than there had been at any period during the last 30 years. Owners and men realized the necessity for co-operation in order to preserve the industry against competition from fuel oil and electricity. “With that co-operation,” said Mr Webb, “I am confident that the coal industry will develop and maintain its place in the industrial life of this country.” Gas Companies’ Consumption. The Minister said that the gas companies at present were consuming from 25 to 30 per cent, more local coal than they were previously consuming. At the same time, he was satisfied that the gas companies could consume still more native coal. An increased consumption of New Zealand coal by the gas companies would be immediately reflected in the mines, particularly on the West Coast, because it wouid enable them to produce more screened coal, for which, fortunately, there was a big demand. The Minister said that he was hoping to evolve a form of organization in the production and handling of coal, by which considerable quantities would be stored by larger consumers, in order that the commercial and domestic demand in the winter months might be exploited to the fullest extent. If he could arrange things in such a way it would mean a balance of trade throughout the year. Such a step would help considerably in solving the problem of unemployment as it applied to coal mines. The coal problem in the Waikato district was a most vexed one, said the Minister, as, while production had increased enormously over the years, the demand for slack had not kept pace with the demand for screened coal. The result was that they were losing 100,000 tons of slack each year. This was being burned or wasted. A Smaller Screen. As a result of a conference with the coal owners of the Waikato district, a smaller screen was being introduced, and this should reduce the amount of slack by from 15 to 25 per cent, said Mr Webb. He was hopeful that within the next few months a scheme would be evolved in the Waikato district which would have the result of absorbing huge quantities of slack coal. It was gratifying to him to experience the excellent co-operation that existed between the different mining companies in an endeavour to meet his requests in that respect.