BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 5

BRITISH COAL CRISIS.

MR MACDONALD'S VIEWS

GRAVE NATIONAL PERIL. DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. LONDON, June A debate on the coalmining dispute took place to-day in the House of Commons. The Leader of the Labour Party, Mr Ramsay MacDonald, asserted that the situation is fraught with grave national peril. He said the House must endeavour 1.0 make some practical contribution towards a solution of the trouble. Mr MacDonald criticised the manner in which tho Government was handling tho crisis, especially its withdrawal of the offer of a further subsidy. He said money must be found to put the coal industry on its legs. The problem which future Governments would have to face would bo that the only complete form of co-or-dinalion of the coal pits was nationalisation for the reconstruction of the coal industry.

Mr Lloyd George urged the Government to introduce forthwith legislation for the reconstruction of the coal industry.

The Prime Minister, Mr Stanley Ealdwin, said he was willing lo resume negotiations at any moment, but he was not willing to pledge the money of the taxpayers indefinitely to support this one industry. Nor would he be forced by the stoppage to take political control of the mii.es.

Whatever settlement was ultimately reached probably some Government assistance would be necessary. The Government was prepared lo do that, but pending a settlement he could not say what form that assistance would lake or what the amount, would be. "No Government could compel a settlement, but the moment there was the first glimmer of a temper for negotiations the Government would do its best to assaugc the differences and asperities, see fair play and undertake any necessary legislation. Primarily the future depended in the statesmanship of the two parties to the dispute, for no force imposed on reluctant men could bring lasting peace.

Mr Philip Snowdcn, Labour member for Yorkshire (West Riding) said he. had never listened to a speech with such hopelessness and despair as when he heard Mr Baldwin. Tho member expressed the opinion that the only solution of the deadlock was for the Government itself to lake action. The Labour amendment to reduce the Ministry of Mines vole, on which the debate arose, was defeated by 252 voles to 10S. WINERS' ATTITUDE. RACING FIXTURES AFFECTED. LONDON, June 1. The general secretary of the Miners' Federation, Mr A. J. Cook, discredits rumours to the effect that peace moves are being made so far as the miners are concerned. The Daily Telegraph states that unless the coal strike is settled the Ascot race meeting is not likely to take place. It is even possible that racing will stop earlier. It is understood that the Government proposes to place an embargo on all petrol.