BRITISH COAL CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 6 August 1925, Page 2

BRITISH COAL CRISIS

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] LONDON, August 5. The parties have held meetings preparatory to Thursday’s debate in tho House of Commons on the coal subvention. The Labour Party passed a resolution emphasising their solidarity, and determination to uphold tho min. crs. The Liberals have decided to oppose the subsidy. The Executive industrialists will demand assurances from the Prime Minister that the subvention will be limited to nine months, and will bo repeated in the case of any other industry. It is understood that Air Baldwin will express his agreement with this. •fhc miners’ secretary, Air Cook, interviewed by the “Daily Chronicle” stated that the miners will endeavour to clear up before the Royal Commission why coal priced at hs to 18s per ton at the pithead costs the consumer L'2 per ton. They will prove that tho wages arc utterly inadequate, and that the world’s coal industry is in a serious condition and is approaching bankruptcy. Germany is saddled with ten million tons of unsaleable coal, Belgium with a million and a half tons, and Poland with a million tons. Britain has five hundred pits closed. A quarter of her miners are unemployed. Seventy-four thousand Saar Valley miners have struck for higher wages. Thirty-six thousand Ruhr miners have l’oon dismissed and there are forty thousand under notice. Poland lias 80.000 miners out of work. BEER TAX TO PAY SUBSIDY, LONDON. August 5. Lobby correspondents hint at the likelihood of Air Churchill paying tho cost of the coal subsidy by adding a penny per pint to beer, which will bring in twenty million sterling. Tho big breweries are making large profits and it' is known that the ministry regards increases in direct taxation ns impossible.

LONDON, August 5. The reports of an increase in tho beer duty are without foundation.