COAL INDUSTRY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19161, 18 November 1927, Page 11

COAL INDUSTRY.

POSITION IN BRITAIN. ! MR MACDONALD ATTACKS OWNERS. ANGRY SCENES IN COMMONS. (BT CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) LONDON, November 16. In the House of Commons Mr Ramsay Mac Donald's motion complained of the Government's neglect of increasing unemployment and distress in tlio coal-mining industry and the failure to enforce an efficient organisation. He contended that the situation was not duo to the stoppages in 1925 and 192(j. It had been heralded by the warning events of many years. Since last year's settlement production had been increased and costs reduced with the result that British coal at present was selling in Germany at 4s a ton below the next competitor. The Government's view last year was "iiat reduced wages and increased! hours would save the industry, but this was absolutely falsified. The real problem was the transference of coai into oil power. In experiments ior this purpose Britain was far behind the Continent. The next problem was the disposal of the coal industry. At present it was not suffering from Continental competition, but from the competition of British collieries and exporters among themselves. The subsidy had been squandered on international competition, not a penny going to strengthen the industry. If industrial efficiency meant allowing the owners to market coal here and abroad at any price, Labour and the Government were in the owners' pockets. As far as hours and wages were concerned it meant nothing less than industrial slavery. Thousands of miners were unemployed, and more pits were closing down weekly. Short time miners were not earning £1 a week. Conditions in the mining districts were most appalling, families having to sell up their homes and public utility societies going bankrupt. The owners were openly refusing available employment to men belonging to the Labour Party and the Miners' Federation. No wonder the miners were beginning to hanker after swifter methods than political action. Labour's censure motion drawing attention to the coal industry, led to an unusual scene. Mr Mac Donald submitted the motion, his speech concluding: "We want to know what the Government is doing in fche matter and the president of the Board of Trade is not the Minister to answer." Sir r. Cunliffe-Lister rose to reply and was greeted with insistent cries for Mr Baldlwin. Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister was unable to make himself heard. Mr Kirkwood shouted to the Speaker: "Cannot you move that Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister be no longer heard. This is'a man's job, not a boy's.'' The Speaker again called on Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister and tried to restore order, but, owing to continued uproar, he suspended the sitting for an hour. When the House resumed after the adjournment the benches were packed.. Mr Baldwin was present. The Speaker called on Sir P. CunliffeLister, and when he rose the Labourites began a chorus demanding Mr Baldwin. In an interval in the tumult Mr Thomas asked the Speaker if there was any precedent for the Prime Minister refusing to reply on a vote of censure moved by the Leader of the Opposition. The Speaker: That is not a point of order. Mr Thomas: It may not be strictly so, but the matter affects the whole House. I do not desire to attack Sir P. CunliffeLister, but the latter last year, at his own request; did not take part in the coal debates. It was stated at the time that this was due to Sir P. CunliffeLister 's interests in coal mines. The Speaker again called on Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister, and babel again broke ou)t, the Labourites chorusing 1 , "We want Baldwin." Several times Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister tried to speak, but there was always one interjector shouting, amid the disorder, "We want the organ-grinder, not the monkey." 1 The Speaker, after trying vainly to obtain order, declared, "Under my powers I adjourn the House.'' . The announcement was Teceived with jeers and catcalls, the Labourites all standing in their places. Members of Cabinet were the first to leave, and the Labourites hissed Mr Baldwin as he left, some of them shouting, "Coward." Government members who were then walking out, looked back shouting heatedly, "Disgraceful." A free-fight seemed imminent till a Government member shouted, "Let's leave them to it," after which a majority of the Ministerialists slowly filed out. Only a number of Labourites were left, but the atmosphere of heat gave way to one of liveliness when a Labourite went through the form of putting a vote of censure and declaring it carried. One Ministerialist went up to a Labourite on the floor, gesticulating and raising his arms, but other members, fearing they would come to. blows, separated the couple. This provoked shouts of, "Come out into the corridors." After this the House cleared rapidly.