COAL AT HOME.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 December 1919, Page 7

COAL AT HOME.

SCHEME TO LIMIT PROFIT. WARNING FROM LABOR. By Telesraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, London, Dec. 13. In the House of Commons, on a motion for the second reading of the Coal Industry Emergency Bill, Sir Auckland Geddes (President of the Board of Trade) admitted that it was difficult to find enthusiastic supporters, but the crisis earlier in the year and the present crisis were justification for the Bill, which automatically followed the Government's acceptance of the SanUcy report. It also limited profit to 14d per ton. The industry was now in such a that something must be done, but if control was suddenly dropped chaos would ensue. The Bili was only intended as an emergency measure to end in March. The Government did not regard the limitation of profits as sound in principle. He would absolutely oppose such a method of dealing with industry in normal times. Mr. Leslie Scott moved the rejection of the Bill.

A curious situation developed during the debate. Mr. W. Adamson (chairman of the Parliamentary Labor Party) announced that the Laborites refused to support ,the measure, the miners' executive having to-day decided that the Bill was not acceptable. Mr. Hartshorn said the miners did not object to {.he limitation of the Bill's currency. Mr. Hartshorn warded the Government that there would, be'a terrific eruption in the mining industry when the UiJI expired in March. Members pointed out that Labor's refusal of the Bill completely altered the position. Mr. Bonar Law announced that the withdrawal of the Bill involving a, continuance c.f the existing system of control would result in great financial difficulties, owing to the recent reduction of ten shillings in the price of household coal. He agreed to an adjournment, hoping that a solution would be found. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.