The Commission was repeatedly reminded of the existence of foreign
competition, much to the annoyance of the miners' advocates, who like to pretend that Great Britain has no rivals in the world's markets. Mr. B. Talbot, for the iron and steel trade, estimated that if the miners' demands added 8s. 2d. per ton to the cost price of coal, the cost price of steel would go up by 32e. 8d. a ton for fuel alone, and, with further increases of wages to the steel-workers, would be raised by 44s. a ton, thus imperilling our export trade. Mr. A. J. Hobson reinforced the same argument. Sir D. M. Stevenson, for the coal exporters, pointed out that America was producing coal more cheaply than we are, and that Germany would be a more formidable competitor than ever because she must export coal to get foodstuffs and raw materials. Notable evidence was given as to American competition in the Argentine and in Europe. These facts must be considered, despite Mr. Smillie's appeals to past history and current sentiment.
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