FOR PRESS: P. M. No. 2/ 1959.
EXPERT COMMITTEE ON COAL
Statement by the Acting Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. McEwen, M. P.
The Commonwealth Government has decided to establish
an Expert Committee to advise it on all aspects of research into
the uses of coal. This decision is in line with the announcement
by the Government in its Policy Speech that it would assist the
expansion of such research. Arrangements for setting up the
Committee have been worked out between my colleagues Mr. Casey
Minister for External Affairs ( as Minister in charge of C. S. I. R. O.)
and Senator Spooner ( Minister. for National Development, and whose
portfolio includes the Joint Coal Board). The Committee will
report to Senator Spooner.
The Committee will make a complete review of research in
Australia and overseas and will consider both the short and long
term aspects. In recommending to the Commonwealth Government
those lines of research which should be initiated or further
encouraged, the Committee will give special consideration to those
which offer promise of leading quickly to an increased demand for
coal, although, of course, it is not to be expected that this could
be achieved overnight.
The amount of research that has been done and is being
done in ' Australia on the uses' of coal is considerable far greatothan
is generally appreciated. The Government considered therefor
that, before launching out on any new research or intensifying
existing research, it would be wise to take stock of current work
both in Australia and overseas. The" Government proposes that this
review should be the starting point foy future research policy so
far as" the Commonwealth is concerned. "' It is convinced that the nev
arrangements. are of the greatest importancq to. the coal industry c..
Australia and that great benefits will accrue from the work of. the
Committee The Commonwealthhas been. fortunate in obtaining the
consent of. the following men to serve on. theCommittee;-
Mr. W. Pettingell, General Manager, Australian Gas.
Light. Company, who will be. Chairman;
Dr. R. S. Andrews, Chairman and Managing Director, Gas
Fuel Corporation of Victoria;
S Professor J. P. Baxter, Vice-Chancellor, University of
-New South Wales.
Mr. Glenn, Managing Director, I. C. I. A. N. Z.
Dr. H. K. Worner, Director of Research, Broken Hill
Pty. Co. Ltd.
SThe Commonwealth is not only grateful to these men
personally, but to their. respective employers for. allowing them
to undertake this important national task.
The Commonwealth representatives on the Committee will
be Dr. F. WI. G. White, Deputy Chairman, C. S. I. R. O.;
Mr. S. F. Cochran, Chairman,-Joint Coal Board;
Dr. H. G. Raggatt, Secretary, Department of National
Development.,
CANBERRA, A. C. T.
26th June, 1959
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