BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 59, 3 December 1919, Page 7

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

j DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS THE "VICIOUS CIRCLE" By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright London, November 28. In the .Houso of Commons, in opening tho coal debate, Mr. W. Brace (Labour) moved for tho appointment of a Select Committee to inquire into coal control and the position of the coal industry in regard to selling prices, profits, cost of production, and output. He complained that tho Government had refused to coOpernto with tho miners, who were driven to despair at tho blunders of tho Coal Department. He attributed the shortage of output to the lack of development by the owners and the lack of transport- Tho miners' solution was nationalisation, but they were prepared to co-operate in any system to eccuro larger production. Replying, Sir Auckland Geddes said tho suggested committee was undesir. able, because it would not be an expert one. The Government had nothing to conceal, but objected to the committeo because it .wanted to get on with the job. The controlling factors of tho situation wero mainly outside this country. In October the industry showed a deficit of nino millions. The small proportion of coal which was being exported was making tremendous profits, and tlw lnrge proportion, which was being used inland was making a It was anticipated that tlio above deficit would be paid off in December, and that there would be a profit of seventeen millions at the end of tho financial year. This estimated surplus would be used to reduce domestic prices. He defended this policy ou the ground that the money could not be devoted to ■ a better object than reducing the cost of living, beoausa a further rise must lead to new demands for higher wages, so perpetuating the. vicious circle of the increasing cost of living and wages, which, if continued, would strangle the industries of the country. .

Referring to the resignation of the miners' representatives on the Advisory Committee on the {.'round that tliov wero not being consulted. Sir Auckland iieddes said lie. thought it undesirable to consult them rccentlv, but if they were prepared to co-operate in the spirit in which Mr. Brace had just Spoken he would welcome their assistance.

Tho motion was defeated by 251 votes to 59.—Renter.

A. PROTEST. London, November 28. ..As a .■-prott\sL Against not being consulted in regard to recent ohanges in. the nrioo of coal. the minors' delegates r,n !he Advisory Committee of Hip, Oonl Controller have resigned. They include Mr. Smillio (president of the Miners' Federation) and Mr. Hartshorn.—Aus.N.X. Cable Assn.