MINING CRISIS

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 March 1926, Page 7

MINING CRISIS

(jEXTRA EDITION.

COMMISSION’S REPORT. DISMAY IN SOUTH .WALES. OPINIONS FROM BOTH SIDES. BZ CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION —COPZEIU UT. Received 1.40 p.m. to-day. LONDON, March 11. The. Miners’ Executive considered the Coal Commission’s report, but declined to make a statement pending to-mor-row’s meeting of delegates. It is expected they will concentrate opposition on wage revision and the stoppage of subsidy. South Wales owners and miners are dismayed at the report. They declare that only stagnation and impoverishment is ahead. Sir William Johnson expresses the opinion that there is no hope for the Welsh industry until .longer hours are worked. Sir David Llewellyn said that the removal of the subsidy means an increase in price. Mr the miners’ treasurer, saidNpitat the report will not .settle the dispute. The reduction of the bonus, which is now amounting to 33 per cent, upon the standard wage, is not acceptab’e. Justice Sankey, who Was chairman of the 1919 Coal Commission, jsfiich recommended centralisation, briefly commented on the present report: “I think it is an effort to postpone the inevitable.” —Sydney Sun Cable.

LABOUR,’S ATTITUD®. LONDON, March 10. Earliest impressions of the Labour attitude on the Cloal Commission report were gathered in the Parliamentary lobby, where Opposition members emphatically declare that the miners will not hear of the proposed reduction or wages. Several Labourites recognise many good .constructive point® in the report, notably the .suggestion in regard to nationalisation of minerals, the recommendations of local authorities to engage in coal distribution and amalgamation of smaller mines, but a notable weakness pointed out As that the report does not provide a basis for discussion of the problem with which the industry will ibe faced on May 1, when the subsidy terminates.