BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

Waikato Times, Volume 91, Issue 14229, 2 December 1919, Page 5

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

* COMMITTEE OF ENQUIRY URGED. BLUNDERS OF DEPARTMENT. GOVERNMENT READY TO ASSIST. (Reuter.) (Received Dec. 1, y. 5 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. In the House of Commons, opening thecoal debate, Mr W." Brace moved for the appointment of a committee to inquire into the coal industry in regard to the selling prices, profits, cost of production and output. Me complained that the Government refused to co-operate with the miners, who were driven to despair by the blunders of the Goal Department. He attributed the shortage of output to» lack of development by the owneaii.and lack of transport. The miners' solution was nationalisation, but they were prepared to co-operate in any system to secure larger production. Replying, Sir Auckland Geddes said the suggested committee was undesirable because it would not be an expert one. The Government had nothing to conceal, but objected to a committee because it wanted: to get on with the job. The controlling factors in the situation were mainly outside this country. In October the industry showed a deficit of £9,000,000. The small proportion of. the coal which we were exporting was making tremendous profits, but the large proportion being used inland was making a loss. It was anticipated that the above deficit would be paid off in December, and there would be a; profit of £17,000,000 at the end of the financial! year. This estimated surplus was being used to reduce domestic price*. He defended this policy on the ground that the money could not be devoted to< a better object than reducing the cost of Irving because a further rise must lead to newdemands for higher wages,, so perpetuating the vicious- circle of the increasing cost of living by increasing wages which, if continued, would strangle the industry of the' countryReferring to the resignation of the miners' 1 representations on the advisory committee on the ground! that they were not being consulted,. Sir Auckland Geddes - said he thought that it was not desirable to consult them recently, but if prepared to co-operate in the spirit in which Mr Brace had just spoken, he would welcome their assistance. The motion was defeated by 254 to 59.

A FRENCH PROTEST. (Received December 1, 5.5 p.m.) PARIS, November 30. The Government has protested to thD British Government against raising the export price of coal. "later. MINERS' DELEGATES RESIGN. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn.) Received December 2, 9.40 a.m. LONDON, Nov. 28. As a protest against not being consulted in regard to the recent changes in price, the coal miners' delegates on the Advisory Committee of the Coal Controller have resigned, including Sir R S. Horn, Minister for Labour.