HOUSE OF LORDS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 July 1930, Page 6

HOUSE OF LORDS

COAL BILL AMENDED

(By Telegraph—Press Association).

LONDON, July 15

The House of Lords by 168 votes to 36, has carried Lord Salislftry’s “Spreadqvei” of working hours amendment to the. Coal Mines’ Bill, which amendment the Government has already refused t° acceptThe House of Lords also defeated without, a division, a motion, for n conference of both of the houses. The Lord Chancellor, Lord Sankey, said that the Government could not accept the amendment, and that insistance. upon it . by. . thy House oi Lords, would cause widespread provocation and resentment.

Lod Salisbury said that his amendment mainly concerned the preference by the House of Lords for a “Spreadover” of ninety hours per fortnight, instead of having the rigid 'seven and a-half hours a day. The spreadover was to be optional. Tile miners were by no means unanimously opposed to jt.

The Chancellor ..replied that this proposal, in any case, could operate only for eight months, and it was therefore not worth the trouble that it Would cause. r '• ’• :/' ;

The House of Lords’ decision places the Government in the position of having to chose between the acceptance of their proposal or the qjiand-r. on merit’ of the Coal Bill. ; The, Ministers will • probably he driven to - the c method' “of- amending the amendment,” if it can induce the miners-to agree!

The-opinion is generally expressed that a’ way-will be found to save the Bill,' but' the'Dhily Herald describes it as being “the most serious challenge to the sunremaey of the popular will since the* House of Lords’ rejected of the budget in 1909.