British Coal Trade Begins To Feel Pinch

Chronicle (Levin), 24 March 1949, Page 5

British Coal Trade Begins To Feel Pinch

(N.Z.P.A.-

- Reuter ,

Copyright)

LONDOX, March 22. The British coal trade expects serious problems this year, mainly owing to increasing foreign copipetition, which is tlireatening Britain's export mftfkets. The revival of production in the Ruhr is redueing the demand for British coal in Europe, and the Poles, who are consistentlv under-eutting British prices, are making increasing inroads into Britain's South American markets. As a result of higher wages and shorter hours, British coal costs havei risen steeply, and the National Coai Board is aiready seeking for ways and means of redueing production costs to meet a possible price war in overseas markets. In doing this, however, thb

board 's hands are considerably tied by the ineteased costs implicit in nationaiisation, while there is also threat that the National Mineworkers' Union will demand further increases in wages and an extension of concessions, Addressing an audience of miners at the National Coal Board 's spring school at Saint Andrews, Sir Arthur Street, deputy chairman of the board, warned the men that the board could not alford further concessions, but must on the contrary make eonsiderable economies.