Export Coal On the face of it there is much
to be said for the proposal put before the Government by mine-owners and mine-workers to impose a compulsory levy on all coal marketed, from the proceeds of which coal exports could be subsidised. The falling off in exports due to keen competition and artificial barriers has aggravated unemployment among miners and contributed to the adverse balance of trade. But such a step cannot be lightly adopted. It would put an additional burden on producing industries, some of which are hard put to main- tain their own exports. Nor could it in any case be considered without searching examination of regulated selling prices. The price of coal has been rising ; the profits made in every district have recently been substantial ; but unemployment is still severe. Shipping interests especially have to be con- sidered, and it will he a first consideration of the Mines Department to explore the possibilities of increasing the. use of coal on ships, which would not be facilitated if the price were increased. A more hopeful solution of the problem of export lies in energetic action by the Government to secure international co-operation with a view to a more fair division of markets and stabilised prices.
* * * *
Previous page
