BRITAIN’S COAL MINES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1945, Page 5

BRITAIN’S COAL MINES

GOVT.’S PLAN ACCEPTED. -"LONDON, July 19. The coal owners have accepted the Government’s plan for the industry, and would do all in their power to make it effective, said jthe Chairman of the British Mining Association. A technical survey committee ol Britain’s best-known mining engineers had been appointed to make a thorough survey of the industry, and would prepare a report on the firm understanding that the policy of the industry would ensure the refnoval of all technical impediments to achieving maximum efficiency of mining operations. Major Lloyd George recently summarised the Government plan to which the coal owners agreed. The working, treatment and disposal of coal should continue to be conducted by private enterprise, provided it was planned in accordance with the national need and conducted with the maximum efficiency: The making and carrying out of plans for the development and efficient conduct of each coalfield, according to the best modern practice, should be undertaken by the industry itself. Where necessary the amalgamation of collieries will be carried out, if possible voluntarily, otherwise by compulsion, but amalgamation is only proposed when it is clair it would be an advantage to the nation and the industry.