STATE COAL.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13458, 2 July 1912, Page 5

STATE COAL.

DEPUTATION TO HON. J. COLVIN

COMPLAINT OF SHORTAGE

[United Press Association.}

"Welfington,'July 1. A deputation from the Wellington Trades and Labour Council waited on the Hon. J. Colvin, Minister of Mines to-day to ec:np'..\m of the shortage of State coal in Wellington. It was suggested thr.t ;.:i -should be made to work the State mines to the limit of their capacity, so that the prieo of coal could be reduced without diminishing tho. profits, of tho State, and that the Government should get its own colliers instead of paying from £54,000 to £60,000 a year in freights.

The Minister said that loss was occurring through"the Department being unable to- fill orders ..but it was not the fault of the Government, which had bad harbours to contend with, while the new mine at Point Elisabeth was riot opejied up yet. A great deal of money had to bo expended in getting a railway line into this mine, but within the next thro? or four'months he hoped to be able to supply all requirements, and have a. little to spare. While it was true that £54,000 in freights was paid to shipping companies last year, the State had got a quid pro quo, the loosecoal, which was unsaleable in the depot, being purclias-ecl by the companies. If in offico when tho new mine was opened up he would urgo on the Government the necessity of vessels to carry the output. Bearding the suggestion that tho G-rj-rriimcnt should secure a mine in th^ North Island tho Minister said that tho difficulty was there were no Orown l:\.vjis with coal-bearing areas in the North Island. It was desirable, however, to have a State mine in the North Island if it was possible to get ono>

" Trance is■?■■. steadily reconstructing her navy. The Admiralty proposes to spend next year an additional sum of over £3,250,000, of which nearly £1,250,000 arc for new ships,' £400,000 for 'artillery, and £500,000 for naval harbours.