COAL AND INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 120, 23 May 1922, Page 5

COAL AND INDUSTRY.

EFFECT OF HIGH PRICES. FOREIGN MARKETS LOST. CAPTURED BY AMERICA. ID.T Cable.—Tress Association.—Copyright.) (Received 8.30 a.m.! SYDNEY, this day. The "Sydney .Morning Herald," in a special article dealing with languishing industries, declares that if Australia is again to have access to foreign markets for the. sale of coal, the cost of production must bo materially reduced. The wages of miners are very high. Though tin- cost of living has fallen wages in t'nt' coal industry have not been reduced, but have been increased a hundred per cent since 11)13. ft is obvious that Australia cannot, continue to pay these wafres and, compete with cheaper producing countries. Neither can the tariff be raised to keep the manufacturers of these countries out: that would only mean bleed ing the consumer, who is really tho worker. The ''Herald" declares that (Government control is throttling and is largely responsible for destroying trade with Continental nations. America has captured the former valuable overseas trade which Australia enjoyed, and shut her out from the world's markets. (A. and X.Z. Cable.) POLITICAL HUCKSTERING. PROFITS OF THE INDUSTRY. fTteeelvi'd 12..i0 p.m.i SYDXKY, this day. Mr. Henley, in criticism of the Commonwealth Government, which he accuses of political huckstering in connection with its attitude towards the coal industry, says the industry is being strangled by owners, miners, and the Commonwealth. Some miners are receiving thirty pounds a fortnight, whilst , owners are making upwards of 50 per cent.- (A. and N.Z. Cable.)