COAL SUPPLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 139, 15 June 1931, Page 10

COAL SUPPLIES

FOR RAILWAY USE NO NEED TO IMPORT 5 • REPLY TO THE MINISTER * An allegation that the statemcnt*%l the Minister of Railways (the Hon. W. A, Veitch), published on Saturday, in reference to the supply of coal for the New Zealand railways is not a fair outline of the position was made in Christchurch this week by a representative uf the principal companies supplying coal for railway purposes. “New Zealand mines can supply} without difficulty, all the coal required for railway purposes,” he stated. “There is no justification whatever toi the importation of a single ton. hilsl the figures quoted by Mr. Veitch ma] be more or less correct, he does not disclose that these figures were taken aftei r a sudden and unexpected increase in railway orders, and LeTore tho mines had had time to comply. Tho erratic nature of the railway orders, and th< extraordinary way the Department have increased and decreased the quantity required, every few weeks, is alone responsible for any shortage at the present moment. It is possible that Mr. Veitch docs not realise the effect of this; but it has played havoc with ths mines’ marketing arrangements. No Easy Matter. “It should be explained that ths Department purchase only one gradelarge screened coal—and when theit orders are increased or decreased, arrangements for disposal of tho other grades have to be adjusted accordingly. This is no easy matter at the present time. Owing to tnc slackness of the coal trade, and owing to reduced railway orders, several mines had recently to reduce to single shift working, and others to a few days’ work per week. “The variation in railway orders, over the past twelve months, has cansed a great deal of inconvenience to tho mines in their efforts to meet tho Department’s wishes. In July last, tho West Coast mines were supplying large quantities—and they were advised that even more was required. A few weeks later the Department suddenly found they were over stocked, and orders were reduced by two-thirds. A couplo of months later the orders were again increased to the full quantity, only to be reduced in January to a fraction of this tonnage. Changed Instructions. “As late as March last, gentle rebukes were administered to any mine over-supplying by even a few tons; and yet about the end of March, orders were increased by 100 per cent.! Because the mines were, not, able to alter their arrangements in sufficiently quick time to comply immediately, Mr. Veitch quotes this as justification for importing from Australia. When this last increase in orders was given, inquiry was made as to whether it would last for sufficient length of time to enable the mines to revert again to double shift working; but the reply given was that, it would probably be for three or four weeks only—which was not sufficient time to justify the change. “But cutting out these frequent alterations in quantity, not the slightest difficulty will be found in securing all th high grade coal required from our own mines. There is no need 10 intensify the unemployment problem by importing coal that is not wanted. “ It is pleasing, however, to have Mr. y Veitch’s assurance that tho Department, will continue to use New Zealand coal: but it is to be hoped that he will show a little more consideration for tbe efforts the mines are making to meet the position.”