DECONTROL OF COAL

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 150, 21 March 1921, Page 5

DECONTROL OF COAL

BILL READ A THIRD TIME POSTPONEMENT APPEALED FOR BY LABOUR By Telegraph—Press Association-Copyright. London, March 18. The Coal Decontrol Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons at 3" o’clock this morning, despite Labour attempts to postpone decontrol for three months. Mr. Thomas pleaded for further time in which to reach a settlement regarding wages, without which a general stoppage of work was inevitable.

Mr. W. C. Bridgeman (Secretary for Mines) pointed out that three months’ delay would cost the taxpayers fifteen millions. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MINERS’ WAGES

RECOMMENDATIONS OF CONFER-

ENCE. (Rec. March 20, 5.5 p.m.) London, March 19.

The Miners’ Conference recommended the obtaining of the opinion of the respective districts on the question whether they will temporarily abandon the National Wages Board and the national pool, and empower the executive to negotiate for an agreement on the districts basis to meet ths present abnormal state of trade, pl so to eecure prices applicable when trade is more normal. It is understood that if the recommendation is accepted it will mean a weekly drop in wages of 425. in Cumberland, 31s. m South Wales, 20s. 6d. in Scotland, 17e. in Lancashire, and 6s. 9d. in Durham and Northumberland. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SOUTH WALES MINERS’ CHANGED FORTUNE. (Rec. March 20, 11.5 p.m.) London, March 19. South Wales miners, who in 1920 had expensive motor charabanc holidays at the seaside, are now seeking the relieving officers’ assistance. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.