BRITISH AFFAIRS

Southland Times, Issue 18818, 11 May 1920, Page 5

BRITISH AFFAIRS

COAL PRICES. INCREASES EXPECTED. DOMESTIC AND INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIES. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, May 9. (Received May 10, 8.25 pan.) Owing to the recent rise in miners’ wages, the price of domestic coal is expected to be increased fourteen shillings to-day, and industrial coal four shillings. The Government have decided that domestic coal mast be restored to an economic price. The annual conference of Scottish mineworkers passed a resolution that if there were any advance in coal prices the miners would claim another equivalent advance in wages. THE OIL COMBINE. LIMITED BRITISH CONTROL. LONDON. May 9. The Sunday Express asserts that the oil combine will place only a very moderate portion of its properties under British control. Many of these are in the world’s storm centres, such as Russia, Venezuela, North China and Mexico, where British protection is more valuable to the combine than the oil resources can be to Britain. The Royal Dutch Company maintains absolute control over its properties in the East Indies and California where the major portion of the petroleum is produced.