THE COAL SUPPLY.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3927, 15 October 1873, Page 3

THE COAL SUPPLY.

[ The select committee of the House | of Commons appointed to inquire into lhe supply of coal have received some interesting evidence from Mr Normansell, secretary of the South Yorkshire Miners' Association. He said that 15 years ago it was scarcely possible to find a collier who could write his name, and now every child he had could read and write. A great number owned their own houses as freeholders, and the system was on the increase. Some of them had pianos and harmoniums, and even perambulators. He looked upon the piano as a cut above the perambulator. (Laughter.) On being asked whether it was true that the. colliers drank champagne, Mr Normansell replied — I don't think they knew about it before you gentlemen raised the question in this committee. But since then I have been told that it is not uncommon for the men to meet together and subscribe for a bottle. For my own part, I don't see why a collier ought not to have champagne as well as anybody else. (Laughter.) The Chairman :Do they travel first-class ? Mr Normansell: Sometimes; and of course they ought to be as comfortable as anybody else. (Laughter.) We have had numerous arbitrations in our district, but we had none conducted under the provision of the act of last year. The Chairman : It is said that the colliers do not work as hard now as the used to do formerly. Mr Normansell : That is quite true. ~ I don't think they intend to work as hard again. In my opinion they work quite hard enough. They formerly worked much too hard, and now they intend to take it a little easier. The Chairman : Is that the result of progress and education? Mr Normansell : The more you educate a man, the less physical labor you will get out of him ; and a very proper prin ciple, too, in my opinion. The Chairman : That last answer of yours is likely to receive a good deal of public notice. Mr Normansell: I cannot help that. Mr Carter : In proportion as the Colliers' Union has grown in strength, has the good understanding between them and the employers increased? Mr Normansell : Yes ; we have a better understanding now than we had formerly. Mr Carter: Have you felt yourself tetter able to deal with the masters since the union became so strong? Mr Normansell: When we were weak, the masters would have nothing to do with us. It is only since we became well organised that we have obtained recognition and power. We prefer a reference to a regular arbitration. A reference is more in tbe hands of the men. So far as our district is concerned, the legislation of the past year is unnecessary. As to the increase in tbe price of coal, I believe it is owing to the present system by which coals are sold. In my opinion, if you want cheap coal, the consucaer should go direct to the coalowuer. Under the present system this is impossible, and I myself have had the utmost difficulty in getting a truck of coal conveyed to a friend in London. At the time coals were selling in London at 60s a ton, I sent coals there which cost at the pit's mouth £1 per ton ; then there was a charge of 12s 6d for carriage, &c, and 4s for cartage. The coals were of the same quality as those which were sold at 60s, and this showed that the merchants must have been getting a profit of about 15s a ton. Mr Potter: Do you not think that competition would bring down such profits? Mr Normansell : The merchants combine, and you cannot compete with them. Mr Potter : Is there any union among the London merchants ? Mr Normansell . There is an understanding. The Court then adjourned.