BRITISH COALMINES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20491, 17 February 1930, Page 9

BRITISH COALMINES.

GOVERNMENT'S BILL,:

FATE STILL UNCERTAIN*

(Received February 15, 5.5 p.m.)

British "Wirelsss. RUGBY, Feb. 14. 'The fate of the Government's Coal Mines Bill, which is under consideration in Committee in the House of Commons, is still uncertain. Last evening, after a lengthy 'discussion, the clause relating to the appointment of commissioners who, failing voluntary amalgamations of collieries, would have power to prepare compulsory schemes for such amalgamations, was carried by 281 votes to 182. Tha adoption of the clause was opposed by the Conservatives. The ex-president of the Board of Trade, Sir Philip CunliffeLister, said that if amalgamations paid they would bo made voluntarily, whereas the swamping of good collieries with the debts of bad ones would ruin their efficiency. 5

Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal), in view of the modifications introduced into the scheme of compulsory amalgamations, supported lh/3 clause. Mr. W.'Graham, president of the Board of Trade, f in his reply said the effect uf the clause- would be to encourage voluntary amalgamations and provide safeguards against unreasonable compulsory amalgamations.