PROFITS IN COAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1920, Page 5

PROFITS IN COAL.

J MILLIONS MADE IN BRITAIN. WARNING FROM LABOR. i ' £y Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright, Received Jan. 31, 1.50 a.m. London, Jan, 29. Mr. Robert Smillie (President of the Miners' Federation), addressing a conference of miners, said a deputation informed Mr. Lloyd George that they possessed information proving that the Government, up to July of the current year, would make a profit in coal of between £50,000,000 and £00,000,000. Mr. Smillie added that if the present profiteering continued, miners would endeavor to stop it.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. ACCOUNTANT'S REPORT AWAITED. Received Jan. 30, 2.25 p.m. London, Jan. 29. A Downing Street statement enumerates the points raised by the executive of the Miners' Federation, whose case was stated by Mr. Robert Smillie (President of the Miners' Federation) and supported by the following members of the House of Commons: Messrs Hartshorn, Brace, Spencer, and also Frank Hodges. Mr. Smillie intimated that the Federation possessed information relating to the industry's financial position, which would warrant a substantial reduction in the price of coal. The Prime Minister replied that the report of an independent accountant employed by the Government to investigate the financial position would be ready on February 4th. When the report was received it would be submitted to the Federation, who would be enabled to examine the figures and afterwards meet 'the Prime Minister in order to discuss their general bearing upon the points under consideration. The executive decided to adopt the Prime Minister's pro-posal.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.