BRITISH COAL BILL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 74, 20 December 1919, Page 9

BRITISH COAL BILL

GOVEKNACBNT! DECIDES TO DHOP.J'I!: (Eec. Decemher 19, 10.55 p.m.) London, December '19. In view of developments, tho.GovernmenMias dropped the "Coal Industry ■EinergenoT Bill.—Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. Speaking in the House. of Commons on the motion for. the second reading of the Bill, Sir 'Auckland Geddes admitted that it was difficult to fiml enthusiastic supporters, but the .crisis earlier in the year and the present, crisis were justification for the Bill, which, automatically followed the Government's acceptance of the Sankey. report. It also limited tlie profit to Is; 2d. per ton. The industry was now in such a condition that something must lie done, but if control vcro suddenly dropped chaos would ensue. Thi' Bill was only intended.as an emergency measure to the-coil'of-ifarch. The Government did not regard the limitation of profits as sound in principle, and woiiki absolutely oppose such a method of dealing with the-'industry- in normal times. ■ Mr. Leslie Scott moved the rejection of the Bill, Mr. AdamtJ-n (Labour) announced that Labour refused to snppnrt the measure, the nri.M-I's' • executive- having that day decided that the Bill was not acceptable. -Mr. Hartshorn said that the miners did hot object to tlie limitation of profit?, but-they did'object to the limitation of the .Bill's currency. He warned the Governiii'.'iit. that there wouM.be. a terrific. eiuptioD. in the mining , industry when ih<- Bill esp"red in Jlaren,. Mpnibsrs pointed out that Labour's refij=i.l of the Bill completely altered the position , .' -.... Mr.-' Bonar Law amiounced that the withdrawal of the- .Hill, involv'n? the contimiance- of the. ex'sving fj-srrm of control, would '.result ii: great .financial difflciiltics, oirjng to tn& recent i-ediic--tion iif 10s. in the price of household ciial. Hi! agreed, to an . ndjonrnirient, hoping that a solution would bo found.