THE COAL CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 250, 16 July 1919, Page 7

THE COAL CRISIS

DEBATED IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS • INCREASED OUTPUT ESSENTIAL CO-OPERATION OF MINERS SOUGHT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Kec. July 15, 9.30 p.m.) London, July 14. The coal crisis debate attracted a largo attendance in the House of Commons. The Government issued an urgent whip to members. All-. W. (J. Brtdgeman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, said that the Government' was gravely concerned at the iucrease m the price of coal. There was no hope of an. alteration until tho cost of production was reduced. Sir Auckland Geddes said tho increaso in this price of coal was not based on nolitical motives. It was solely due to reduced output. One factor was insufficient transport, following oil the railwavinen's eight-hour day. "The outstanding fact is that the country's work is not being done," Sir Auckland Geddes continued: "The profound and sudden industrial changes- are eausjng widespread disturbance, even outside tho trades in which the changes are introduced., A national effort is necessary to increase the coal output, which is of vital necessity. Tho subsidy derived from the export profits is falling daily. If tho subsidy disappears the price must rise another sixteenpence. Sir Auckland Geddes added that there must also be faced rises in tho prices of coke, pigiron. steel, spelter, gas, electric powor, rails, and ship plates. Tho crisis was crave, because' it threatened the export trade, in' which America was a 6enous competitor. offering long-term coal contracts. which Britain must copy, thus reducing the price, otherwise outwardbound ships would have to take ballast. If wo hoped to pass through tho dark, anxious days ahead we must endeavour to renew the spirit prevailing during tho war. Blame would fall on thoso who were not doing their best to increase production." Mr. W. Brace (Labour member for Aiei-tillery) described Sir Auckland Geddes's speech as . most depressing. It constituted the strongest condemnation' of the Government's policy in failing to take the House of Commons into its confidence. and asking for co-operation. Mr. Brace urged tho Government v to delay (he imposition of an increase in the price of coal, and to confer with the ipners and owners, with a view to increasing the output. The miners would have ereater faith in the Government if it carried out Mr. Justice sSankey's report. Tho miners believed that nationalisation was the key to tho situation. Interrupting Mr. Bonar Law, Mr. IU-ace said that if the Government would withhold putting the six shilling impost into operation, the miners would co-oper-ate with the Government in trying to increase tho output. Mr. Bo'nar Law replied that if the miners would give an undertaking that there would bb no stoppage of work for three months, the Government would be inclined to defer the increase. Meanwhile the price would not be increased until Monday, allowing tho conference with the miners on Thursday to consider the matter. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. CMr. Justice Sankey's report v recommended the Government immediately to acmiire all coai royalties, compensating the owners, and to purchase tile mines at a fair prico after three years;!