FACING COAL CRISIS..

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 17 June 1926, Page 7

FACING COAL CRISIS..

Britain’s Big Problem. HOUSE OF COMMONS DISCUSSION. By Cable—Press Association —Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association LONDON, June 15. In the House of Commons, the coal crisis was again the leading subject ol the questions. Mr (i. E. Lane-Fox (Minister for Mines) announced that 219,000 tons of foreign coal had been landed since May 1. Mr Baldwin told Mr Wheatley that at no time during the general strike did be indicate that ho was willing to accept Sir Herbert Samuel’s memorandum as a basis of the coal settlement. Mr Baldwin’s Stateinant. Mr Baldwin availed himself of the Mines’ Department’s estimates to make a statement on tho coal position, tic said the gravity of tho situation, with the accompanying unemployment and dist ress, was never out of tho minds ol Ministers. Tho damage inflicted on industries were crippling in it-s effect, and if continued much longer would, in many cases, lead , to disaster. Factories would have to cease working as tho stocks of coal were slowly being exhausted. Large amounts of foreign coal had arrived on private account, but only essential services could look for Government assistance in that direction. He had never concealed his opinion that: “It was a cruel stoppage —that it was without real justification, and that it will leave everyone worse off than at the beginning. Instead of tho parties co-operating to do the things the Commission recommended, they preferred to fight, and had they done otherwise we might have laid the foundations of a new prosperity. The men could have been back at work, and foreigners would not now bo capturing our markets. I shall not attempt to apportion the blame.” Reviewing the Commission’s findings, Mr Baldwin said: “Let them admit that the industry might be better managed. That might be said of every industry, but let them not be carried away into thinking that mere technical improvements could revolutionise the industry. The Commission has said that the effect upon ' tlie output in general ani wages would be very small. I do not want the House to form an exaggerated view of the possibilities of reorganisation. The Ministry is prepared to help every improvement that will increase productivity and power to pay wages. “To exaggerate the lower costs which could be got by reorganisation, was, the Premier feared, “laying up possibilities for disappointment. It is unfair to the men to believe that there are large reservoirs of untapped wealth in reorganisation, so as to make them feel that there is no necessity to face the appallingly difficult situation. Tlie Commission, however, reluctavitantly has recommended that there must be a reduction of labour costs, specially stating that there should be a- change in the intermediate rates, and has made certain suggestions with regard to special district rates, which 1 knew have .found little favour.” Mr Baldwin said attempts were made by, Mr MhriDritiald ami members of tho Trades UnioipiOouncil to get tlie mine leaders to make some concession. That was the rock upon which they split. ITs had no liking for a reduction of wages, which,,if made for tlie existing hours, would be on sucli a scale as no one would like to see offered. “We came to the definite conclusion that a return to a longer working day wa, s necessary.” A Labourite: “You’ll get another ten weeks of it with argument like that.”

Mr Baldwin:’ “AVe intend to .leave the seven hours’ day on the Statute Book, but to introduce legislation enabling extra hours to bo -worked during a, certain period of time.” Mr Baldwin said the proposed permission to work an extra hour daily in tile mines,” does ot prescribe, longer hours, but will permit serious negotiations to be undertaken on a basis upon which it is felt a far better scale of wages can bo paid, than on the existing basis. I did not negotiate with anyone bn this subject. I felt that hours offered a chance upon which an agreement might bo reached, which would safeguard the existing wage over the greater part of the country, to which I attach great importance.”