The Miners' Federation declared last week, in reply to the
coal-owners, that it stood for a national wage, and that the coal industry must be regarded as a single concern, the profits from the richer pith going to make up the losses on the poorer collieries. The statistics published by the Mines Department on Tuesday show, however, that the whole industry is being worked at •a loss, thanks to Government control and the insatiable demands of the miners' leaders. In January the net cost of each ton of coal sold was 40s. 3d., and the average selling price was 34s. 61d. Thus the loss on every ton was 5s. 80. Out of the net cost of 40s. 3d. per ton, 31s. 7d. was paid in wages—or 5e. 4d. more than in the September quarter of last year. It is obvious, what- ever the Miners' Federation may say or do, that the industry cannot continue on these lines. The poorer collieries must be closed, or the miners must work for less extravagant wages.
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