BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 191, 14 August 1925, Page 7

BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

! 0 ■ PERSONNEL OF COMMISSION.! MEN WANT REPRESENTATIVE. NATIONALISATION QUESTION. (By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) i LONDON, August 13. Representatives of tbe miners and the coalmine owners separately and privately discussed the proposed terms of reference and the personnel of the Commission of Inquiry into the coal industry. Mr. A. J. Cook, general secretary of the Miners' Federation, subsequently stated officially that the Court would only command the confidence of all the parties concerned—the_public, the coalmine owners and the miners—if those parties were fairly represented in the personnel. A Court composed of great lawyers, captains of industry and a few economists and politicians would never satisfy the working miners if they themselves were excluded. Mr. Cook also stated that the provisional terms of reference were not wide enough. The Miners' Federation had intended that they should deal with every phase of coal production and distribution, including royalties. He said he did not doubt the Government would agree fully to that. The miners would see that the question of nationalisation came into the inquiry. Later the miners presented their views to the Mines Department in regard to the personnel of the Court and the terms of reference, of the commission. The result of the interview has not been disclosed, but, on leaving, the members of the deputation looked very grave. Mr. Cook remarked that no agreement had been reached and no settlement. The deputation will report to the executive of the Miners' Federation to-morrow morning.—(Reuter.)