The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which, is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 1926.

THE BRITISH COAL PROBLEM The coal problem at Homo is hastening to n crisis. In commenting; on the outlook, the Lyttelton Times remarks that should Mr Baldwin, the British Prime Minister, fail to secure an agreement between the parties to the coal dispute at Home, the hopes of a generiil industrial recovery, so confidently anticipated a few months ago, will l>c shattered. Last year the British Government purchased a respite at heavy cost on the ground thl.it the exenditure involved would be a trifle to tbe national loss, consequent upon a strike on the coalfields. The temporary arrangement will expire on May Ist, and the problem before the authorities is to reconcile the conflicting views of the miners and the owners on Lhe most important recommendations of the Royal Commission. The difficulties in the coal mining industry are of long standing and it is admitted that they cannot be removed by conversations. Legislation will be necessary anil tbe lest will come when the Government attempts to give legislative effect to the proposals contained in the commission’s report. In .some quarters it is thought that Mr Baldwin is attempting to repeat the Irish Boundary manoeuvre, using the commission’s report as he so dexterously used the Feetham Report. The position in the industrial conflict differs in many respects from that of the Irish dispute for, in the latter, both parties were desirous of a peaceful settlement while in the former there have been few signs of willingness to compromise on tbe important issues. The sands are running fast and the next few days will show whether the greatest industrial conflict that has confronted the Mother Country since the war is to he averted or the whole industrial fnbric of the nation is to he endangered. ‘lf only both parties to the industrial contract will hold together.” stated the ‘‘Spectator” recently, “all will lie well. Our recovery will be a certainty. But will they? That is the question and it is a terribly anxious one.” The Government lias offered to give effect to the recommendations of the Royal Commission, although not in sympathy with several of them, and in the event of the negotiations failing to disclose vi basis of agreement the rejection of the proposals by either party to the dispute would have tbe effect of ranging public opinion against the irreconcilables. The miners will not consider any increase in the length of the working day or qny decrease ip the-

vngc scale, and they want the agreement to be on a national basis. The owners on the other hand, state that unless hours are increased and wages reduced the industry cannot face the competition of countries where the cost of production is much below that in Britain. They contend that agreements should be on a district basis. Between these conflicting views it is the unenviable task of the Prime Minister to find a way of escape. The country has confidence in the honesty and singleness of purpose of the head of the Government, and, if lie can secure a. settlement, it. will be. the outstanding triumph of a public career which has been singularly troubled. .