GOAL MINES BILL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20438, 14 December 1929, Page 13

GOAL MINES BILL.

BRITISH PROPOSALS.

CENTRAL CONTROL SCHEME.

REGULATION OF SALE.

OPPOSITION OF OWNERS, r

SUPPORT BY FEDERATION.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received December 13. R. 25 p.m.)

British "Wireless. RUGBY. Deo. 12. The text of the Coal Mines Bill, which represents tho Government's plan for solving the problems of the coal industry, has been issued.

Tart 1 deals with many problems. It js proposed to regulate the production, supply and salo of coal, by means of a central concentrating schemo for tho wholo of Britain.

The hill contemplates that these schemes 'ivill be operated by tho colliery owners themselves, and it is provided for the schemes being so framed as to ensure that, within reasonable limits, tho quantity of coal offered for sale by any colliery, and the price charged for it, shall be in accord with the stato of tho current demand. Tho federation of British Industries has sent a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, urging that the Bill should not bo rushed through Parliament. Tho letter points out that tho industry as a wholo has not been consulted, or given nn opportunity to express its opinion, although .industries were dependent for their existence upon plentiful supplies of coal, at prices which would enable manufacturers to competo with foreign products.

Tho Mining Association has decided to refer the bill to tho district owners. It is understood that a majority of the owners is still unalterably opposed to a National Industrial Board and to a reduction in hours of work. Mr. A. J. Cook, secretary of the Miners' Federation, speaking at Islington, said the bill did not meet the miners' desires, but it was the first real step toward the reorganisation of the industry, and the Miners' Federation was giving tho scheme all possible assistance. He added: "We have all made mislakes, the owners, the Governments, and she miners. Let us make amends quickly in a practical way."

LIBERALS OPPOSED.

MOTION FOR REJECTION.

REASONS FOR DISAPPROVAL.

(Received December 13. 5.5 p.m.)

LONDON. Dec. 12,

j\fter a meeting of the Liberal Party in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George, the leader of the party, gave notice of a .motion for the rejection of the C'oal Mines Bill, on the ground that while ho favoured a reduction in hours, and tho establishment of a coal miners National Industrial Board, he could not approve of the bill because it did not promote the reorganisation of the industry, nor did it secure a reQuctJon in tho costs of production.

On the contrary, the bill gave a vested interest to inefficient pits, and subsidised the coal supplied to competing foreign manufacturers, and increased the prices to British industries and consumers.

CRISIS EXPECTED.

ATTITUDE OF OPPONENTS.

! POSSIBILITY OF REJECTION.

(Received December 13, 9.15 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 13

There are indications that the Government will be faced with a crisis over what has already been christened the " Dear Coal Bill." Both 'the Conservatives and the Liberals have decided to table aniendjnents. If they combine it will undoubtedly result in the rejection of the bill. But the Daily Telegraph says the Conservatives will not support the Liberal amendment. The attitude of the Liberals toward the Conservative amendment, which has not yet bee,n drafted, remains to be seen. The Morning Post describes the bill as " a pretty example of what the Americans call 'passing the buck.' The miner passes to the Government, which passes to the owner, who passes to the public. " The object of the marketing scheme is to raise the price of domestic coal sufficiently to pay the miner the same wages for Jess work. The Daily News appeals to the Government to withdraw the bill, which at the bidding of two powerful industrial interests imposes a grave injustice on the public. The Daily Chronicle says the bill, which is bewildering and disquieting, is utterly alien to the spirit of democracy. If the Conservatives ventured to put forward such a measure, it would be denounced as a sign that the Ministry was in the pocket of a group of capitalists. The hill would entrench an irresponsible group of capitalists in an unassailable monopolistic position, continues the Chronicle. The central council could prevent a productive mine from expanding its production, and enable an inefficient mine to exact a price for outgoing business.,

The bill fixes selling prices, subsidises Ihe exporters and selects the consuming industries which it favours with a share in the subsidy. In fact, it would hold the ■whole community to ransom by charging .■what it likes for coal.

The miuer would get a reduced day, but the rest of labour would get dearer coal in the home, and dearer fuel in factories and transport.