IMPORTATIONS OF COAL

Taranaki Daily News, 8 June 1931, Page 6

IMPORTATIONS OF COAL

minister gives reasons NEW ZEALAND UNABLE TO SUPPLY. RAILWAY’S ORDERS IN ARREARS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. , Wellington, Last Night. The Minister of Railways, the _ Hon. W. A. Veitch, made a statement to-day on the importation of coal from Austra a. He said that with a view to building up the stocks of coal the department had in " its orders on New Zealand mines on , 18 and again on March 30. Nevertheless by the end of April there was no increase. Even up to May 23 the increase in stocks amounted to only 4000 tons, which was little more than half a week’s- consumption. As the prospect of obtaining coal from New Zealand mines was not satisfactory he had been reluctantly compelled to place an order for 40,000 tons from Australia. Mr. Veitch gave figures to prove the previous statement that New Zealand mines had not been able to deliver th® quantities arranged to overtake the shortage of re serve supplies. The Dobson mine order now stood at 1600 tons a week, but the supply averaged only 775 tons. Th® Brunner order was 1595 tons a week and the average supply was only 720. Figures for other mines were: Liverpool State mine 500 tons and 400 tons; Grey Point Elizabeth Co-op., 1020 tons and 370 tons. The Briandale order was 820 tons but the mine was unable to guarantee more than 350 tons at present, though it might be in a position to increase .the amount to 500 tons in six weeks’ time. The WestportStockton order was 1200 screened up to May 23. This was delivered, but owing to fewer orders for slack and the dearth of shipping bunkering oi-ders the mine would have difficulty in delivering the order. A quantity of unscreened coal had been taken in order to assist the company in its difficulty. The Cascade mine was still out of action but the order for 1000 tons of coal was to stand, but it was not likely to be delivered at a rate greater than 100 tons a week. “I wish to repeat,” said Mr. Veitch, "that the department will continue to take New Zealand coal and so long as the mines are able fully to meet our requirements from time to time.there will be no necessity to resort to importations in the future.”