BRITISH COAL MINERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 January 1926, Page 3

BRITISH COAL MINERS.

MR HENDERSON’S WARNING. [Australia ,fc N.Z. Cable Association.J 'LONDON, Jan. 10. • Mr Arthur Henderson, the Commoner, speaking at Pontypool, and warning the country that the proposals before the Coal Commission raise economic and political questions of vital importance, declared that the entire J-übour movement would lie behind the miners in the matter. Mr Henderson said the miners could not be expected to accept less than a living wage.

The “Daily Herald” says, editorially: “The Government would do well to heed Mr Henderson’s warning, a.s he is not an extremist. The coal owners’ plan is to sweat the miners more and make the consumers pay more. The miners’ way is to reorganise the industry as a national service and free it from the depredations of tLe royalty owners, profit takers and end the capitalist muddle and mismanagement. If the Government arrays the forces of the State against the forces of T.afiour it will provoke a situation fraught with incalculable consequences.”

Mr Cook, the Miners’ Secretary, says the audited returns ending Ootov her last, show the miners’ average earnings as £2 10s weekly. STATE AQUTRITION CERTAIN. LONDON, Janaury 10. The “■ Sunday Express ” says the State acquisition of the country’s mining rights is almost certain to form a basis of the coal commissioners’ reports, probably with compensation for royalty to the owners by the issue of Government stock. There will probably be a minority report indicating strong differences of opinion on the subject of reorganisation of industry and reintroduction of the eight hour day.