A remarkable statement was made in the House of Commons
on Monday about coal. Mr. Akroyd asked the Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he was aware that the Chinese coal- fields covered 400,000 square miles, while the English coal-fields only cover 12,000, and that in Shansi in particular 30,000 square miles are known to exist in beds from 12 to 30 feet thick. Lord Enfield replied that he was well aware of the facts, that the coal was equal to the best Cardiff, and that the price was from 31s. to 49s. 6d. a ton. Englishmen want to work these fields, but the Chinese hesitate. This is an endless supply, but we could not get it here under 87s. a ton. Take the cost at 10s. at the pit's mouth, and it will still cost 10s. to carry to the sea, £3 for freight home, and 7s. between the Pool and the cellar. We want coal here, not there.
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