OPEN-CAST COAL PRODUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 25483, 2 October 1944, Page 4

OPEN-CAST COAL PRODUCTION

PRIME MINISTER IMPRESSED

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, October 1. Although there might still be difficulties and shortages of gas-producing coal in New Zealand, the development of open-cast mines had a wonderful future, said the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser, at the conclusion of an inspection of operations in the Huntly area on Saturday. “Because of the war large quantities of coal which New Zealand used to import from, Australia are not now available, and it has been necessary to explore every possible avenue to ini crease the Dominion’s coal production,” said Mr Fraser. “From what I jhave seen today I feel that the optimism of the Minister of Mines, Mr Webb, about open-cast mining is fully justified. The future of this important industry is assufed. Some of our gas-producing machinery is out-of-date ana we are labouring under great difficulties as we are unable to obtain the most modern equipment at present. Coal-min-ing is a key industry to New Zealand and it cannot remain the source of contention between the employers and employees that it has been in the past,” -concluded Mr Fraser. “Ways must be found of overcoming these differences.” The opinion that as a result of the development of open-cast mining the public could be assured of a plentiful supply of coal in the near future was expressed by Mr Webb. Eight areas were now producing good coal under the open-cast method, he said.

STOCKTON STATE MINE . Private Enterprise To Be Eliminated (P.A.) WESTPORT, October 1. Agreement was reached last week when a deputation of miners’ representatives from Buller went to Wellington to wait on the Prime Minister. It was decided that the element of priv&te enterprise in the Stockton • State mine open-cast workings be eliminated, the Downer Company to cease to function as contractors at Stockton. Mr Downer himself will be overseer and engineer in charge of the work, but his employees will be drawn into the miners’ organizations. It is expected that an agreement will be drawn up within two weeks which will provide for their transfer to the Miners’ Union. It is also expected that as the open-cast workings are developed miners will be absorbed from underground mines.