THE PRICE OF COAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16700, 8 December 1919, Page 9

THE PRICE OF COAL.

SUBSIDISING COLUEEEES.

Ciblo—PrtM Association—CapjTteht.) (Australian and Citblo Aseocistjoa.) (Received December 7th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Decombor 3. in the House of Commons, Sir Auckland Geddes, President of tlio Hoard of Trado, stated that a number of collieries, owing to financial difficulties, w-ero unablo to continue to supply household coal at tho reduced prices. Steps had been taken to finance them! and they had been instructed to rosume their normal working.

[In tho House of Commons on November 21st, Sir Auckland Geddes stated that tho Government had reviewed tho entire situation of the coal prices. There were unexpectedly high profits from export and bunker coal, but coal for inland consumption was sold at less than cost, and it became necessary to modify the existing control by limiting the exportable quantity, limiting orders and profits, and specially limiting the prico of household coal, which would be reduced by 10s next week. A later message said tho announcement astonished the Houso of Commons, tho coal trado and the public. No one expected a fall of 10s in the price of coai. especially as the Government was already subsidising household coal to tho extent of 3s 4d per ton. Tho reduction represents £15,000,000, as household coal accounts for approximated 30,000.000 tons out of n total inland consumption of I 185,000,000 tons. - )