THE COAL MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1919, Page 6

THE COAL MINERS.

\ COMMISSIONER'S REPORT. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ' Wellington, June 2C The coal report is being studied with interest, by many people, including ,the heads of ihe Coal Mine Owners' Association and;the Miners' Federation. The members off the association arc to meet here next week, probably on Wednesday, but though they will discuss the repor.t it is not anticipated that they will take any action sit the present juncture. The next move is with the Government. The report as it stands has no effect, unless the influence upon public opinion, is to be counted. Legislation is necessary before a move can be made in the directions suggested, and it seems quite certain thatt the National Government will not produce this legislation. Probably that means that nothing will be done during the session preceding the general election. The coal problem and the report will be legacies for the new Government, whatever its composition may be. The board does not seem to have made its meaning quite clear when discussing the payments to be made to coal owners in the event of the proposed Coal Board taking over mines. The intention of the .Board of Trade is that all compensation to coal owners shall come out of the product of the industry. The stockholders are not to he given back their capital at the end of any term- The mine is to be treated as a wasting asset and the return to the original owners, during the lifetime of the mine, will be the guaranteed four per cent., plus the share of profit provided for in the report.