BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 19069, 2 March 1921, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

MINERS’ WAGES. NOVEMBER ADVANCES NOT PAYABLE. I By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) EFFECT OF TRADE DEPRESSION. LONDON, February 28. (Received March 1, 8.5 p.m.) Official—The wages advances to the coal I miners under the November strike settlement are no longer payable, as owing to trade depression the output is now only 17,650,000 tons, compared with 19,040,000 tons for the September quarter. Mr Evan Williams, president of the Mining Association of Great Britain, speaking at the South Wales Conciliation Board, said that only sixteen companies out of 150 paid a profit in January. The pithead prices of coal at Cardiff yesterday were raised 5s to 10s. The best house coal is now 53s 2d at the pithead. SUPPLEMENTARY ESTIMATES. PROVISION FOR NEW LIABILITIES. LONDON, February 28. (Received March 1, 8.5 p.m.) In the House of Commons Sir Eric Geddes, in the course of a statement in support of the supplementary estimates for £21,000,000 covering liabilities under the railway agreement, said that the provision was due to the trade slump and the coal strike, which cost the taxpayers £8,000,000, the Irish trouble, and increased wages. A curious feature of the debate was Mr Thomas’s championing the Government, particularly in connection with the settlement of the railwaymen’s wages. INTER-IMPERIAL TRADE. THE CUSTOMS CONFERENCE. LONDON, February 28. Sir Robert Horne presided at the Customs Conference. All the dominions, India and the colonies were represented, the delegates including Messrs Barkley (Australia) and Herd (New Zealand). Sir Robert Home said the war had brought Britain and the dominions closer. It was desirable to still further remove the restrictions on inter-Imperial trade. He hoped the conference would favour certificates of origin and values, to facilitate the exchange of goods on a uniform basis. It is expected that the conference will last a fortnight.