COAL CONTROL TO CONTINUE.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15027, 22 March 1919, Page 5

COAL CONTROL TO CONTINUE.

WARNING AGAINST A STRIKE

(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

and Reuter.)

(Received March 21, 11.5 p.m.)

London, March 20

Mr Bonar Law added that Mr-.Jus-tice Sankey points out that the increased wages "would involve the distribution of an additional thirty millions sterling among colliery workers, and probably without raising prices to the consumer. Furthermore, the present system of ownership and working stands condemned, and either nationalisation or a method of unification by j national purchase or by joint control must be substituted instead. The report recommends miners henceforth ! having an effective voice in the direction of a mine, and condemns the housing of workers in some districts as a reproach to our civilisation. The report suggests the immediate collection of a penny per ton on all coal won, to be applied to housing improvements. This would, yield one million sterling annually. The Government accepted Mr Justice Sankey's report, including an undertaking to report upon the nationalisation of the industry by May 20th, and a proposal of the commission to continue to' sit and issue interim reports dealing with improvements. The Government has agreed to immediately carry our proposals contained in Mr Justice Sankey's report. Mr Bonar Law pointed out that this involved the continuation of coal control for two years. It was estimated that the cost of the proposals was forty-three millions, of - which thirty* millions would be obtainable by limiting the owners' profits to fourteenpence per ton, leaving a deficit of thirteen millions to be secured by various anticipated economies. Mr Bonar Law emphasised that the Government ihad a;one to the utmost limits. It Jvould "fight any strike, as such a struggle could have only one ending, or.there would be an end to government in the country.