The Government's defence for a measure falling so short of
what public opinion demands, and the industry needs, is based on the urgency of the matter. They admit that their purpose now is simply to keep the peace Without obstructing the path to reorganization, and they seek to disarm Liberal criticism by recalling that the Samuel Commission itself recognized that amalgamation of the colliery concerns was bound to be k long process. Under the present scheme the Board of Trade alone would be the guardian of the public interest—a heavy responsibility. We do not like this changeling Bill, but there is much force in the argument of Professor J. H. Jones, an expert of Leeds University, that such a measure, with compulsion implied, does at least secure continuity of purpose and would expedite the elimination of the uneconomic concern. Himself a Liberal, he argues that the present first instalment of Rationalization should be allowed to take effect lest worse befall.
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