MINERS' EIGHT HOURS BILL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9068, 18 April 1908, Page 5

MINERS' EIGHT HOURS BILL.

CABLE NEWS. United Press Association -liv Electric Telegraph copyright-

COAL OWNERS' TACTICS. LONDON, April 15. As the coal-owners resolved that if the Miners' Eight Hours Bill becomes operative before June 30th, 1909, they will raise the price of coal Is 6d per ton on existing contracts covering the interval, the Right Hon. H. Gladstone, Home Secretary., will move that the Bill do not operate until then. The Miners' Eight Hours Bill is meeting wi*h strong opposition in certain quarters at Home. The following are among the bodies who have entered protests against the Bill: — The Railway Companies Association, representing interests valued at over £1,000,000,000. The British Iron Trade Association, representing practically every iron and steel manufacturer in the United Kingdom. The Chamber of Shipping of the United Kingdom, representing interests valued at £150,U0Q,000. The Gas Protective Association, on behalf of practically every gas company and board in the United Kingdom. Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, Arbroath Chamber of Commerce, Newport Chamber of Commeica,Chesterfield Gas and Water Board, Southampton Engineering and Shipbuilding Employers' Association, Liverpool Steamship Owners' Association, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce. Now that all the great industries are realising that the Bill will involve an extra tax of about £20,500. 000 annually, says the London "Daily Express," it is probable that they will unite and form a central committee which will use every means in its power to.prevent the passing of the Bill.