Immediate Nationalisation

Thames Star, Volume LII, Issue 13934, 12 July 1919, Page 5

Immediate Nationalisation

LONDON, July 11

A miners' coniferenoe is to be held at Keswidk on Tuesday, and will probably decide on a national ballot on the question of a strike early in August to enforce immed- ~* iate nationalisation.

Eleotrician© threaten to extinguish, the peace illupai nations in London.

The increase is described by Mr. R. Smillie, president of the Miners' Federation!, as a bombshell. He say®: IThe extra -cost should have been- met by the previous increase of 2s 6d'. The miners will demand an ftivquiry.

The coal mine owners declare that they will not receive any part of the increase. Their profit remains fixed at Is 2d. a ton.

The increase in (price has paralysed <lhe' Birmingham ixon. ma(rket, andl quotations are suspended. It is estimated; that the [Brittdsh Gas Companies Coal Bill wlli be increased by £6,000,000 annually. Sir Hugh Bell, iron master and coil Eery owner, declares that the British steel mill will not be able to compete in. the world's markets. The miners secretary, Mr Hodges, haaf' {issued a detailed' statement witjh a view to proving! that the coal situation) can be meti withoutincreasing the price to consumers. Over 300 members of the House of Commons have isigned the; memorial to the Prime Minister; against nationalisation, of the mines, arid more are expected to sig.ni.; \