The new Government Mines Bill provides for the. appointment of
a Minister of Mines who is to be an additional Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Trade. Until.August, 1921, he may regdate the export of coaland the-price at the pit-head, the wage; and the profits. For the coal industry he is to appoint an Advisory Committee of twenty-five, including. four coalowners and four miners. He is also to,establiah_pit and district oommit- teea, and local and national_boards of employers and.eniployed to consider questions relating to the workingef the mines and to the wages -paid. The Bill is the least ambitious of _the. various .measures proposed or contemplated by the Government in-regard to the coal- industry, but it is also- the most .promising of them, apart from the continuance of theState ccuitrol,which has caused so• much. confusion. and. unrest. The chain- of, joint committees -throughout the industry offers a real prospect of, peace and ef an increased supply of coal.
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