COAL SUBSIDY

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1925, Page 6

COAL SUBSIDY

THE BRITISH PROPOSAL. WHAT SUBSIDY MEANS. A GOVERNMENT EXPLANATION. | Reuter Cablegram.] (Received August 6 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. The Government to-morrow win ask the Hous e of Commons to authorize a coal subsidy of ten millions sterling, covering the period from ! now to March 31st. next. (Received August 6 at 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 5. An explanatory memorandum of the terms of the coal settlement has been published. It says: — “The inquiry into the industry should be completed in good time before May 192 G while the Government’s assistance will enable more pits to work, and more men to be employed than if the 1924 agreement continued without assistance, and it will enable the industry to work at the same costs, prices an 1 scale as if the coal owners’ proposals had been carried out. It provides no guarantee that the pits already closed will be re-opened. Better trade will automatically diminish the amount of the subvention, while a worsening of trade ■"•’0 ’"'"in that the subvention, though it will be at a higher rate, will be protected from an indefinite increase by being restricted to a smaller number of pits, resulting in the closing down of unremunerative pits. ” The coal memorandum states the Go vernment have satisfied themselves I ha 1 they are adequately safeguarded against the possibility of the amount of the subvention being improperly increased by any undue lowering of prices, or by charging against the Exchequer any expenditure upon equip ment, development, etc., which could not properly be chargeable to the revenue costs. The memorandum concludes: “After surveying the whole position, and with all reserves for incalculable factors, the Government have decided to ask Parliament at present to vote ten millions. If this is insufficient, further authority will be sought from Parliament.” THE INQUIRY. LONDON, August G. It is reported that a travelling commission, largely composed of expe ts, will be the most likely form of the ; coal commission. They are expected to tour the coalfields, and to investigate the trouble on the spot, including the inspection of the books, the condition of the machinery, the production of each colliery. The sales, the organisation and the distribution will also be considered, especially the difference between the pithead prices and th’ charge made to the consumers.. TORY CRITICS OF THE SUBSIDY. (Received August 6 at 7.5 p.m.) J • i 5. The ..bite Paper on the coal position has caused much criticism in th-’ lobby, especially the intention to pay the same subsidy to the pr- fitable collieries. This is condemned as being most pernicious, owing to the ado'p tion of the principle of payment by districts. It is understood that Sir Robert Horne, during Thursday’s debate will attack the Government’s policy from the standpoint of the business community. WELSH MINE-OWNERS’ CRITICISM LONDON, August 6. The South Wales and Monmouth coal owners met at Cardiff. They resolved to accept the draft arrangement with the Government, but they emphatically protested against the manner in which the Governmc.it had settled the dispute, contending that it is not in the best interest of the coal trad', or the country as a whole. CLOSED PITS MAY RE OPEN. LONDON, August 6. ™ —’-’no coal owners are now' considering the re-opening of pits, ' some of which were closed a year ago. SUBSIDY TOO LARGE. OWNERS DRIVE HARD BARGAIN. (Received August 6 at 7.50 p.m.) LONDON, August 6. Mr Cook (Miners’ Federation Secretary) in an interview' with the “Daily Herald,” emphasised that the Miners’ Federation had nothing to do with the terms contained in the White Paper. He declared that the owners had driven a bargain with the Government that was out of all proportion to what they were entitled to. It was apparently possible that collieries tnat were making two, three and even four shillings per ton of a profit would participate in the subsidy, WELSH MINERS STRIKE. RIOT OVER SCABS. (Received Aug. G at 9.10 p.m.) [Reuter Cablegram.] LONDON, August 6. Grave rioting has occurred at Ammanford. Five hundred strikers raided a pit with the object of fetching out two workers in it. Police defended the colliery. They were attacked with sticks and stones. There were many - casualties on both sides, including a Deputy Chief Constable, nnd an inspector, ‘who were severely injured. 'The manager’s house was damaged. A strong contingent of Glamorgan and Carmarthen police restored order.