REPORT ON COAL INDUSTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 March 1926, Page 9

REPORT ON COAL INDUSTRY.

Imperial Cabinet’s Attitude

MR BALDWIN CONVENES CONFERENCE. By, Cable —Press Association —Copyright. Reuter's Telegrams. (Received March 21, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 20. Mr Baldwin will meet the coal mine owners and Hie miners on Wednesday, imsleail of Tuesday. It is expected tho Prime Minister will then be able to indicate the Government's general attitude towards the report of- tho Coal Commission, which tho Government is having issued in a. new 3d edition. WILL ADOPT REPORT. FORECAST OF GOVERNMENT’S DECISION. bt Cablo —Press Association—CopyrleM. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.LONDON, March 19. The “Daily 1 Telegraph” says: “There is a strong impression that the Government will adopt the Commission’s recommendations in their entirety, except as regards stopping the subsidy, in which connection there is a difference of opinion. One section of the Cabinet is convinced it is impossible to leave the industry to its own resources on iMa.v 1, but further State Help will be dependent on tiie attainment of a settlement for a fixed period, possibly five years, anil may form a loan, repayable as soon as the industry is rehabilitated.” The “Daily Herald” says the continuance of the subsidy will not solve the problem, but should make it easier to find a basis for agreements. The paper hints that if subsidies are devoted to making up the wages of those miners who will otherwise suffer by the udoption of the Commission’s proposals, the sky might begin to clear. PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL. CAREFUL STUDY OF REPORT. a'r Cable—Press Association—Copyright Australian anil N.Z, Cablo Association. LONDON, March 19. Preparations are advancing to deal with tlio great national problem—the coal industry. Mr Baldwin’s advice that neither side should commit itself before digesting tiie Conuuis.sion's report has been generally followed. The report has been widely circulated throughout the coalfields, and tlio printers are working feverishly to overtake the daily demand. The Prime 51ini.stor specially asked members of th» Cabinet to devote last week-end to studying the report. A Cabinet Committee has now been formed, with Mr Baldwin presiding, and tiie matter came before the whole Cabinet on Monday, while tin: Frnnu Minister asked owners and miners to meet him on Tuesday, before their joint meeting fixed for Thursday. ■ Apparently th e parties will soon be at close grips.