COAL MINERS’ RELIEF FUND

Grey River Argus, 10 February 1931, Page 7

COAL MINERS’ RELIEF FUND

STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF M INES. Mr. II 11. Holland, M.P., has received the following letter (sth February 1931), from the Minister of Mines: “With reference to the interview you had with me towards the (Aid of last yeay wit < regard to a portion of the credit balance remaining in the above fund being applied for the benefit of ick mners, I have in w to advise that since the Ist April, 1926 and,-up to the 31st M.aijHi, t193U.( ’the (expenditure has increase*4 by 36 per cent.., or an average increase of 9 porceHit. opr annum, as against an increase of 3 per • ent. per annum of contributions. the amount expended out of the fund for th'. l ended 31st March, 1930, was at the rate of }d per ton in respect to coal produced throughout the Domini *i. On the p esent scalp of benefits to miners the fund would appear to be unsound, seeing t at it is living on the accumulat-ed surpluses of former years. Having regard to the position a*- disc osed above, it is coUsideri?d that it v/ou’d be prudent to await the financial results from working the fund for the year ending 31st March, 1931, before finally deciding what further ad loir, if any. should be taken.”