The Coal . Bill On Wednesday Mr. Graham issued a statement
to the Miners' Federation and the Mining Association. There will be no immediate change of hours, but next April the working day will be reduced to seven and a-half hours plus one winding time. The coal-marketing scheme will be legally enforced. Powers will be taken to impose a .levy on all coal raised in order to assist the export trade. Royalties will be bought by the State.. There was no mention of a minimum Wage or of a national agreement It is satisfactory that the reorganiza- tion scheme will not apparently involve public money. But the assistance- of the export industry may, we fear, raise the price of coal at home. Cheap coal isessential for prosperous industry. We must leave the subject there, as when we write Mr. Graham has not made his statement in the House of Commons,
Previous page
