BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 139, 8 March 1929, Page 11

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

UNEMPLOYMENT AND LOW WAGES SUGGESTED REMEDIES MINERS’ DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER In an interview between the British Prime Minister and representatives of the miners, the depression in the coal , industry was discussed, and various remedies suggested. (British Official -Wireless.) Rugby, March 6. A joint report is officially issued of yesterday’s interview between the Prime Minister, who was accompanied by other Ministers, and the executive of the Miners’ Federation. Mr.. Herbert Smith, president of the Miners’ Federation, emphasised the low wages and large amount of unemployment ruling in the mining industry, and suggested as remedies the superannuation of older miners, the raising ■ of the school-leaving age in mining areas, the abolition of the eight-hour day, and an international division of .foreign markets. Mr. A; J. Cook pressed for a national scheme to prevent an unduly low price for coal in consequence of competition, and for steps by the Government to secure the more rapid development of processes for the scientific treatment of coal. - ' - '" The Prime Minister reviewed the position of the mining industry generally. He expressed the opinion that, the present increase'in .the demand for coal was not entirely due to climatic conditions and had indeed been apparent, though to a less degree, before the weather conditions throughout Europe had had any effect. As regarded amalgamations and other forms of organisation within the industry, the Prime Minister thought that these were making satisfactory progress, and direct Government intervention would not be advantageous. Mr. Baldwin pointed out that the inreased demand for coal had been met almost entirely by fuller employment for those on the colliery books without any substantial increase in the number employed. Even- with the improvement in trade there would still be a big surplus of labour in the mining areas, and in his view the most important matter to be dealt with at the present time was the transfer of surplus unemployed miners into employment in other industries. He appealed to officials, of the Miners’ Federation to use their influence in mining areas to ensure that full advantage was,taken of the Government’s schemes for training and transferring boys and adults in order that they might have the benefit of opportunities that existed for employment In other parts of the country. Mr. Herbert Smith referred to. the evidence given before the League of Nations last week, by Mr. Tawney in favour of the international, regulation of markets. : • - - - ; The Prime Minister promised carefully to consider the evidence.