THE COAL PROBLEM [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—In your note on the " Coal Problem," in your issue of June 22nd, you• observe that " some colliery owners are still haggling about the pre-War issue of national or district agreements," and that " whether we bite it or not, economic circumstances have decided in favour of the former."

May I draw your attention to the following comparison and ask how you would deal with it under a national agree- ment ? • Is the minimum in Durham to be raised or that in Nottingham to be lowered ?

Average

Minimum earnings Credit or

percentage on basis per shift, including

Debit per ton.

rates.

allowances in kind. Dec Qr.,

1928.

(Dec. Qr., 1928.)

Durham • 65 .. 9/1 —8d.

Nottingham and

North Derby.. 38 10/8} .. +50.

—I am, Sir, &c.,

5 New Court, Lincoln's Inn, W.C. 2.

PHILIP GEE.

[It is taken for granted that " rationalization " of the whole industry is a prerequisite for the national wage' agreement which we have in mind.—En. Spectator.]