THE COAL TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 24 August 1926, Page 2

THE COAL TROUBLE

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.] OVER-PRODU CTiUN. LONDON, Aug. 23. Sir Alfred Aloud (Chairman of the Government’s new committee to enquire as to fuel economy) on the eve of a trip to Canada, declared: “All the coal trade’s troubles are due to fifteen per cent, over production, resulting in a slaughter of prices. Alternate booms and slumps are inevitable unless production and sales are controlled, prices are stabilised, and mining is treated as an industry, and not as a gamble. COOK’S WARNING. LONDON, Aug. 23. AI r A. Cook (Federation Secretary) addressing the miners at Mansfield, declared that the men who wore signing on were stabbing tlieir leaders in the back. He was there to see that Nottingham miners did not smash the Aliners’ Federation. Every man who was working was a black-leg. He did not want to see any smashed heads, “but,” he added, “if you go into the mines, others will march here to deal with the situation.” LONDON, Aug. 22. The Daily Alail states: “The Trades Union Congress annual report, comprising two hundred thousand words, dismisses the general -strike with a single sentence, namely that it was sufficient to record the national strike “which, probably was the greatest demonstration of industrial solidarity in the history of British Trade Unionism.” MINERS’ APPEALS. LONDON. Aug. 22. The Aliners’ Federation is sending a mission to Russia, including Afr Herbert Smith (President) and eight women, to appeal for funds. Other miners’ delegations are visiting various parts of Europe. The miners’ delegation to America have collected already £30.000.