GOLD AND COAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXL, Issue 20259, 7 November 1935, Page 5

GOLD AND COAL

PRODUCTION IN NEW ZEALAND

A STEADY INCREASE Bv Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 6. A review of coal and gold mining activity in New Zealand in the last four years was given by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, in an address at Culverden. Mr Forbes showed there had been an increase of 200.000 tons in coal production last year, and of £659,000 in gold production. Since 1931 many complaints had been made about the state of the New Zealand coal industry, said Mr Forbes. It was said that hydro-electric development was lessening the need for coal, and that the number of men employed was continually decreasing. Actually there was now an upward movement In the consumption of coal. The annual amount of production of coal in New Zealand since 1931 had been—

The peak production for New Zealand was 2.547092 tons in 1930. Imports of coal into New Zealand since 1931 had been—

The Government’s policy had been to use New Zealand coal wherever possible. The Railways Department was now 100 per cent, a user of New Zealand coal, and every effort was being made by the Mines Department to induce gas companies and users of steam to adopt a similar practice. To-day gold was the one commodity New Zealand possessed for which there was an Insatiable demand at record prices. The actual output of gold had increased by one-third in the last five years, while the value of the gold produced had increased by 132 per cent. The estimated quantities and values of gold produced in New Zealand in the last five years were —

The number of men engaged in gold mining had increased from 1564 in 1930 to 6540 in 1934. The future of gold mining in New Zealand lay mainly in the use of modem methods and equipment which could only be furnished by strong companies possessing ample financial resources. The resolution at the close of the meeting expressed confidence In Mr Forbes and the Government,

1931 1932 1,842.022 1933 1.821,258 1934 2,060,315

1931 179,060 1932 1933 99,272 1934 100,715

Year. Ounces. Value. 1930 .. .. 499,744 1931 .. .. 627,451 1932 .. .. 974,734 1933 .... .. .. 161,755 1,063,543 1934 .... .. .. 160,248 1,158,607