COAL AVAILABLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 34, 10 February 1941, Page 6

COAL AVAILABLE

INCREASED DEMAND SHORTAGE OF SHIPPING STATEMENT BY MINISTER [ L’er l'i6*b Association, j CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 8. If shipping transport irom the west Coast to the North Island could oe maae available, the enormously increased demand lor coal tor mdus-tr-iai and electricity expansion would be met. Confidence that with the cooperation of the industry, tun supplies would be available, was expressed in an interview by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C Webb. “The situation, especially the neeu for steaming coal for generating electricity to meet the requirements of power boards in the North Island, is undoubtedly serious," Mr. Webb said. "This has been brought about of the rapid expansion of the demand for electricity for industry exceeding the record production of coal. We require at least 150,000 tons to supply industry, and on top of that comes the demand from power . ooards lor an additional 150,000 tons for Auckland alone. That one order represented the output of two ordinary sized mines." Output ill 1940. While it was not possible at this stage to give exact figures of coal production tor 1940, as the returns irom all collieries had not been received, data to hand showed that the output exceeded 2,500,000 tons, Mr. Webt) said. There was every indication that when the final returns were compiled a new record in coal production woulu be set. the previous being 2,542,092 tons in 1930, just after the Australian strike.

It was interesting to compare the production for each employee in the record year of 1930 and 1939. In 1930, the output of a miner working underground was 574 tons, or 87 tons below that in 1939. Similarly, the production a man on the pay-roll in 1930 was 433 tons, or 59 tons fewer than in 1939. "These figures definitely refute the unfair statements levelled against the miners," the Minister said. “1 am of a definite opinion that the miners of this country have never put greater zeal in to their work to meet national requirements, and if every section of industry, especially the miners’ critics, did as well, the country would be richer." Less Coal Imported. The Customs returns showed that coal imported in 1940 was 64,856 tons, or 46,414 tons below that m 1939. On the other hand, exports were 37,29 Z tons higher, at 81,287 tons, balancing the imports and exports. Tnere was 8711 tons less bituminous coal than m 1939, and that had had some effect upon the stock position in the country, but the steady increases in output had helped to improve the situation. Approximately 30,000 tons ol steaming coal were in stock at the State Mines, while other mines on the West Coast could supply huge quantities which could easily overcome any shortage of steaming coal in the North Island, but a number of colliers had been taken from the trade for other purposes, and it was difficult to obtain extra shipping. If shipping was provided, evei y ton of coal required for northern purposes would be supplied. The three State collieries at Greymouth produced, in 1940, 240,065 tons, or an increase of 31,000 tons over 1939. Mr. Webb said that a further increase in production was anticipated this year,, especially from the Strongman Colliery. Work at the State mines in txic North Island was proceeding satisfactorily, and production from them would increase considerably before the winter set in.