COAL PROFITS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 139, 7 March 1919, Page 5

COAL PROFITS

EVIDENCE AT BRITISH ROYAL

COMMISSION

WHAT THE OWNERS ACTUALLY

RECEIVED

By TelPßrftpb-Press z London, March 4.

At the Coal Commission, Mr. J. A. E. Dickinson, the Conl Controller's adviser, eaid that a 30 per cent, increase in wages, with a six hours' day, would mean an increase in the price of cool of 6s. 7d. per ton.

In connection with tlio increased coal profit of 2s. 6d. per ton, Mr. Dickinson explained that 80 per cent, of the excess profits went to inland revenue, 15 per cent." to the Coal Controller, and onlv 5 per cent, to the coal-owners, so that the ,£25,000,000 wliioh the consumers paid did not benefit the profitmaking ooal-owners, as 95 per cent, of it went back to the State. Mr. Sydney Webb , pointed out that the necessity of helping the non-payin? collieries was due to private ownership. Mr. Dickinson added that if the increase had no't been given a large number of collieries would have closed down. The wages bill of the mines was now ,£170000,000, compared with £91,000,000 in 1913. The profits in 1913 were £13,000,000. and by 1918 had increased to £39,000,000. Thus profits had been multiplied by three in spite of the increased wages.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.