CONTROLLED MINES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 201, 26 August 1943, Page 6

CONTROLLED MINES

PRODUCTION AND COSTS <P.A.) _ Wellington, Aug. 23. The Minister of Mines, the Hon. I-’. C. Webb said on Saturday that the report from Auckland during the week relating to the operations of Taupiri Co: I Mines, Limited, did not disclose the position in its true light and was misleading in that it inferred that coal production had dropped daring the control period. This was wholly incorrect, said the Minister. During the first nine months of control, compared with a similar period last year, the output from all controlled mines increased by 41,094 tons, or 7.1 per cent. The Taupiri output during this period increased b 7583 tons, or 4.7 per cent The company's statement that production for the year ended March 31, 1943, was slightly lower than the previous year was true enough, but it must be remembered that less than six months of this was under control; furthermore, it included the strike period, during which about 10,000 tons of possible production was lost. During the last six months of the company's financial year, when control was in operation, production increased by over 5000 tons.

Regarding the increase in mining costs of Is 5d a ton for 1941-42 compared with the corresponding period in 1943, the Minister said that in May, 1942, wages had been increased to all employees in coal mines and all companies had been granted subsidies to offset the higher wages payable. In the Waikato the subsidy was provisionally fixed at Is 3d a ton. The adequacy of the subsidies was in question, and a short time ago the Coal Owners' Association h d made representations to the Minister of Finance on the subject. The matter was at present being considered by the Government.

“I am not denying that mining costs have risen,” added Mr. Webb. "What I do say is that the increase is more or less general in collieries throughout the Dominion, and has no particular significance in relation to the Waikato controlled mines, nor can it be substantiated that control has resulted in higher costs.