COAL COMMISSION'S REPORT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 152, 22 March 1919, Page 7

COAL COMMISSION'S REPORT

THREE WAYS OUT

STATEMENT IN THE HOUSE

OF COMMONS

ULTIMATUM TO THE MINERS

By Telegraph—Press Association-CoD.vrieht (Rec. March 21, 8.10 p.m.) London, March 20. In the House of Commons Mr. Bonar Law outlined three reports by the Coal Commission 1. A report signed by the miners' and Labour representatives, which recommended the granting of.the full demands ol' the miners, including the nationalisation of the mines. 2. A report signed by the coal owners' representatives, which recommended an immediate increase in wages eightpence daily and a reduction of hours from' eight to seven. 3. A report signed by Mr. Justice Sailkey and employers not directly concerned in the coal industry, which recommended an immediate advance ot wage* by two shillings, namely, two-thirds of tho men's full demands,' Hie reduction vf hours to seven from the middle of July, and, subject to the economic position of the industry at the end of I'J2O, to six hours three months later.

Mr. Bonar Law said that of the, Coal Commission's three reports the Government would adopt the spirit and letter of the one signed by. Mi. Justice Sankey and the three commissioners, which recommended a 2s. advance per day, a seven hours' day immediately, and a six hours' day later. He said that tho, miners' leaders liad never had such a "chance, and never would have such another. Any striko. would be against the community, and the Government would use all its resources to win. Mr. Bopar Law added that the Government had agreed to immediately carry out the proposals contained in Mr. Justice Sankey's report. This involved the continuance of the coal control l'or two years. Tho estimated cost of tlie proposals was <£43,000,000, of which .£30,000,000 would be obtainable by limiting the owners' profits to ltd. per ton, leaving a deficit of <£13,000,000 to be secured by various anticipated economics. He said with emphasis that the Government hnd gone to tho utmost limits, and would light any strike, as such a slrugglo could have only one ending, or there would be an end to government in the country.

Mr. Bonar Law added: "Mr. Justice Sankey points out tho increased wages will involve the distribution of an additional .£30,000,000 among the colliery workers, probablv ivithout raising prices lo the consumer. Eurthermore. that the present system of ownership _ and working stands condemned, and either nationalisation or n. method of unification by national purchase or by joint control must be substituted instead. _ The report rccommends that the miners should henceforth have an effective voice in the direction of the mine, and condemns ihe housing in some districts as a reproach to our civilisation. An immediate collection of Id. per ton on all coal won is suggested to he applied to housing improvements. This would yield a million tlerling annually. The Government had accepted Mr. justice Sankey's report., including an undertaking to re--port upon nationalisation by IMlay 20; and for the proposal of tho Commission to continue to sit and issue interim reports dealing with improvement?."—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.-lteuter.

THE COTTOSPINNERS EMPLOYERS' OEi'ER. (l!ec. March 21, 11.20 p.m.) London, March 20. At a- conference of spinning and manufacturing sections of Ijio cotton trade, the employers -informed {lie operatives that they could not reduce llic hours from 55-1 per week lo 4t and pay existing wages. They suggested a -lilt-hours' week. 'l'licy pointed out the importance of Japanese and Indian competition, and also that America's competition would be severe. The conference adjourned till April 10. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.