EXPLOITATION AND SHORTAGE OF COAL.

Observer, Volume XL, Issue 6, 11 October 1919, Page 28

EXPLOITATION AND SHORTAGE OF COAL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —The above subject is getting very serious, and detrimental to the public, so I venture to criticise same, with a view of getting the matter properly investigated and remedied. But I wish it to be strictly understood that-I hold no brief from either party, but I wish to place some of the circumstances explicitly before the public, with a view of getting the Board of Trader and other. Government officials- to thoroughly investigate the circumstances, and act on the result, in the interests of fair play, and for the general pub?ic benefit (more especially as I have every reason to believe that the coal-owners here are connected with the Australian Coal Board). The coal-owners here, in my opinion, are making misleading statements in which a portion of the truth is stated (and a portion withheld), and which are placed in such a way as to deceive the public' officials by putting a false aspect on the case. Figures and statistics are like soldiers who, when drilled, can be made to assume any stratagetic positions, with the objects of deceiving their opponents, and I am of the opinion that the coal-owners are using similar tactics. The statement as put forth to the public by the mine-owners in the last dispute that the miners got a rise of 20 per cent, (perfectly true), but they omitted to state what the miners got per ton. Now for a true statement, put forth in plain English. The miners demanded a 20 per cent, rise, and a compromise took place by its reduction to 10 per cent., which amounted to threepence per ton. Then the mine-owners immediately increased the price of coal five shillings per ton. The question arises— ls not that profiteering? What is the Board of Trade doing with its increased powers? The evidence of profiteering on the coalowners' part is easily available instead of utilising their efforts on such an enormous and vital question of the cost of coal, have been prosecuting a retail draper re a few shillings on the cost of flannel. After the above-mentioned compromise was made the miners have been - going slow, for which the public are being penalised by the coal-owners by an additional rise of 4s. 6d. per ton. " The mine-owners, while deeply intriguing for profiteering, they are appealing to the public and Govern-ment-against force, and should the Government agree -with their suggestions, I am of the opinion they would be joining issues with the coal vend and. its satelites. and assist them to exploit the pxiblic. Yours, etc., "FAIR PLAY." September 29th, 1919.