BRITAIN'S COAL CRISIS

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 143, 15 December 1919, Page 5

BRITAIN'S COAL CRISIS

THE EMERGENCY BILL

LABOUR OPPOSES THE MEASURE,

(OKIIED PRESS ASSOCIATION.—COPTSIQHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN • NEW ZEALAND CAfclE ASSOCIATION.)

LONDON, 13th December,

Speaking in the House of Commons on the motion for the second reading of the Coal Industry "Emergency Bill, Sir Auckland G-eddes admitted,that it Was difficult to find enthusiastic supoorters, but the crisis earlier in the y«tr and the present crisis were justification for the Bill, automatically followed the Government's acceptance 'of the Sajfikey Eeport. It also limited the profit to Is 2d per ton. The industry', Was now in such a condition that something must be done, but if control, were suddenly dropped chaos would ensue. The Bill was only intended as an emergency measure to the end of March. The Government did not regard the limitation of profits as sound in principle, and would absolutely oppose such a method of dealing with the industry in normal times.

Mr. Leslie Scott moved the rejection of the Bill. J ' •

A curious situation developed during the debate. Mr. Adamson (Labour) announced that Labour refused to support the-measure, the miners' executive having that day decided that the Bill was not acceptable. Mr. Hartshorn said that the miners did not object to the limitation of profits, bat they did object to the limitation of the Bill's currency. He Warned the Government that there would be a terrific eruption in the milling industry when the Bill expored in March.

Members pointed out that Labour's refusal of the Bill completely altered the position.

Mr. Bonar Law announced that the withdrawal of the Bill, involving the continuance of the existing system of control, "Would result in great financial difficulties, owing to the l'ecent reduction of 10s in the price of household coal. He agreed to an adjournment, hoping that a' solution would be found.