TEXT OF COAL BILLS PUBLISHED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 4

TEXT OF COAL BILLS PUBLISHED.

HOURS CLAUSES WILL REMAIN IN OPERATION 5 YEARS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. A us. and X.Z. Cable Association. (Received June 23. 1 p.m.) LONDON, June 22. The text of the Coal Bills has been published. The Hours Bill consists of only two clauses, and when enacted will continue in force for five years. The Mining Industry Bill was a more elaborate measure of seventeen clauses. It empowers amalgamation of mineral undertakings, but confirmation of any scheme' where a section of the owners is unwilling to amalgamate rests with the Board of Trade. The Commission to remove restrictions oil Bill empowers the Railway and Canal Commission to remove restrictions on working or searching for minerals where it is satisfied that it is in the national interest, and provides for a levy of Is per annum for every 20s rental value, payable by every person liable to pay mineral rights duty on the rental value of rights to work. The coal levy will be used for the miners' welfare, particularly for the provision of baths at coal mines. Finally, the Bill provides that, in recruiting persons over eighteen years of age for employment in coal mines, preference shall be given to It also empowers coal-mining companies to establish profit-sharing schemes. Mr G. P. Lane-Fox .said that the committee created by his predecessor was considering the State acquisition of mineral rights, but it was more concerned with details than with policy. Mr Baldwin said that the Royal Commission's recommendation regarding mineral royalties would react on finances. The present losses, coupled with the conversion of the public debt contemplated in the near future, created a situation which required careful examination before committing the country to a financial transaction of the magnitude involved in theh recommendations.