COAL INDUSTRY CRISIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19276, 15 March 1926, Page 9

COAL INDUSTRY CRISIS.

ANXIETY IN BRITAIN. PRIME MINISTER'S APPEAL. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. DUE CONSIDERATION URGED. By Telesraph—Pres3 Association—Copyright. Reuter, LONDON. March 19. The need for careful consideration of the Coal Commission report was emphasised by the Prime 'Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, at a meeting with the representatives of the Mining Association and the Miners' Federation at Downing Street. Mr. Baldwin referred to the seriousness of the responsibility which rested upon them all. He said ho had requested the members of the Cabinet to s</udy the report with great care during the week. Re asked his hearers also to earnestly consider the report and not to be in too much hurry to jump to a conclusion. Even a few days of careful consideration and deliberation at present might b'e worth a great deal to them later on. M. Evan Williams, on behalf of the mineowners, said he entirely concurred with Mr. Baldwin's view. The mineowners had on their side a very large body of people, many of whose whole means in the world might depend on the discussions. Mr. Herbert Smith, president of the Miners' Federation, said: "The lives of our people depend on this industry, and more depends upon what is done for them than upon what is done for those whom it affects from a money point of view." Mr. Smith said the miners would give the report as much consideration as possible, but the question largely rested between the Prime Minister and the owners in regard to what they were going to say about the report and its results. He had no strong opinions yet and would not havo any until he knew what decision they would make. The conference of miners' delegates decided to refer the report to the districts and subsequently to call a further conference.