DISTRESS ON COALFIELDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 11

DISTRESS ON COALFIELDS.

RELIEF IN BRITAIN.

HELP FROM GOVERNMENT.

THOUGHTFULNESS OF QUEEN.

(Received December 15, 5.5 p.m.) Britydi Wireless. RUGBY. Deo. 11. It is generally anticipated that in tho course of his statomcnt on distress in the mining areas to be made in the House of Commons on Monday tho Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, will announce that the Government is in favour of making an immediate and substantial grant to the Lord Mayor's fund for relief. If a Treasury contribution is made it will probably be accompanied by an appeal to the public to continue to respond liberally to the fund, and by a statement indicating the extent of the problem.

A recent development of the methods whereby relief is afforded to miners lakes the form of the " adoption " of special areas in the coalfields by towns and districts in other parts of tho country, in which trade is good and there is little unemployment. Inquiries by the authorities indicate that up to the present children have not suffered physically owing to the distress, and exaggerated reports to tho contrary may be disregarded. Most Pressing Need.

A Tress Association message received later says that as a result of to-day's Cabinet meeting it is practically certain the Government scheme to assist the unemployed miners will consist of a Treasury donation to the Lord Mayor's fund for food, boots and clothing, which the Government regards as a most pressing need.

The Government, however, fears tho announcement will possibly cause a slackening of private donations, which now amount to £145,000. It hopes that a nationally organised appeal will aim at raising £500,000, in which event the Government will bo prepared to add another £500,000. Amid tho tenseness of her own anxiety Queen Mary has not forgotten the hapless unemployed miners and their families on the Welsh coalfields. Sho is sending them clothing and toys and has appealed to everybody to brighten the sufferers' Christmas. Princess Mary's Gilt. Princess Mary has sent a supply of boots and her two sons have sent a largo selection of toys. The Duchess of York is sen'ding clothing and Princess Elizabeth is sending toys. Mr. Baldwin has personally sent letters to tho Lord Lieutenants of tho counties asking them to give tho speediest cooperation in relief measures. Mr. and Mrs. Lethbridge Abel, of Glasgow, as a thankoffering for the Prince of Wales' safe return from Africa, have given £IO,OOO for tho relief of tho poor people of Glasgow. Colliery owners from all the exporting areas in Britain held a conference in London yesterday to further consider proposals for the co-ordination and extension of tho existing marketing schemes. Additional progress was made. It is, however, pointed out that even when the idea of co-operation between the districts is accepted in principlo, there will remain an enormous amount of ground to bo covered in formulating propositions agreeablo to all. Further meetings will bo held in duo course.