COAL PROBLEM.
PREMIER ADVOCATES LONGER HOURS.
LABOUR OBJECTIONS DURING DEBATE.
(THROUGE BEUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, June 16th. The coal debate in the House of Com- mops was opened by the Premier, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, on a vote in connection with, the Ministry of Mines.
Mr. Baldwin dwelt on the gravity of the situation which was causing unem- ployment and distress and crippling in dustries, some of which were faced with disaster. Large amounts of foreign coat had been imported on private account and the Government had becon obliged to place orders to maintain essential ser vices. He had
never concealed - the opinion that this was a cruel stoppage for
the country. (Labour cries of Who caused it.7") It was a stoppuge without any real justification. (Ministerial cheers and Labour counter-cheers) .He would make no attempt to apportion the blame for the stabbornness and folly of the Common.casO parties to the dispute. along could save the situation.
THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS. THURSDAY, JUNE 17r.
would not solve the problem. The ritua tion was pretty hopeless and he urged the Government to reconsider its position. Parliament must settle the dispute, and he urged the miners and owners who were Members of the House of Commons to get together with the assistance of the Government.
L.
Sir John Simoti recognised that the Government had at last abandoned the hopeless position of inaction unless the others agreed,
Mr. W. Adamson (Labour, West Fife) moved, the reduction of the Mines vote, on which the discussion had been held.
Mr. J. B. Clynes (Labour) said he was convinced that the disputo would last longer than it had already lasted,
WEMBLEY SITE.
PURCHASED BY MR. JAMES WHITE.
FOR A SYNDICATES
(THROUGH REUTER'S AGENCY.]
LONDON, June 18th. The freehold of the site of the Wembley Exbibition, 132 acres together with prae- tically all the buildings of the Exhibi- tion, including the Stadium, were put up to auction in London to-day and
were withdrawn at £315,000..
ANOTHER CRISIS.
„SURPRISE' RESIGNATION OF FRENCH CABINET.
[THAOUGH KHUTAR'I' 'LARNOY.}
LONDON, June 15th,
M. Feret is the third Finance Minister to fall since M. Briand assumed the Pre- miership in Novembor, 1025. He fell like his predessors, because he failed to check the fall of the franc.
4
It is known that M. Peret favours the formation of a Cabinet National Union
1920
IRAQ OIL CONCESSION.
RATIFIED BY BENATE FOLLOWING OBJECTIONS.
(THROUGH EKUTER'S AGENUY.]
BAGHDAD, June 15th.
THE QUESTION OF INDO CHINA PAY,
GUILD REPLY TO MR. BERNARD,
JOINT LETTER.
Mr. J. Watson, the Beoretary of the The Anglo-Persian (Translerred· Ter- ritories), Oil Concession has been ratified Marine Engineers' Guild and Mr. W by the Iraq Mojliss and Senate, after S, Kirby, Secretary of the Coast. Offers Guild, have written a letter to Shanghai the opposition had objected to an exten-newspapers on the subject of the Hon. sion of the period, maintaining that itr. D. G. M. Bernard's recent speech was more advantageous to kup to the
at the shareholders meeting of the Indo- old terms, The Iraq Government was
China Steam Navigation Co., Ltd. previously entitled to 10 per cent, of the The letter, dated the 19th inst., statem net profits, as laid down in the original inter alia:~ concession, and will now recive four,
"Whilst it is not the intantion of these Guilds to enter into any lengthy dia-
It is learned authoritatively that the embracing the leaders of all parties, but shillings per ton until 20 years after the sertation regarding the quotation, in ita Mr. Adamson's motion was rejected by Wombley Exhibition site has been sold Briand has hitherto not countenan-completion of the pipe line, to the port, I entirety, made by the Chairman of the
20 votes to 138.
(BRITISH WIRELESS SERVICE.]
POLSTS IN PREMIER'S SPEECH.
RUGBY, June 15th.
by private irenty. Neither the price nor the name of the purchasor have been divulged.
THE FURCHASER.
LONDON, June 15th... The Evening Standard says the pur During the course of his speech, Mr. chaser of Wembley site is Mr. James Baldwin reminded his hearers that the White, Chairman of the Beecham Trust, Coal Commission had declared some-acting on behalf of a syndicats. time ago that a disastor was impending for the coal industry unless some of cer thin things were done. Instead of co- operating whole-heartedly to do these things the partics had preferred to fight. He would address himself once more to It was sometimes stated that the whole the task of trying to suggest ways of the situation. management of the coal industry was escape and a return to common senso inefficient. (Labour cheers.) It might which alone could save be rauch bettor organised but mere The dificulties of the situation arose mechanical improvements could not ze-largely from the fact that for the period volutioniss an industry. The Government immediately preceding 1921 the prosperity ed to have organised a procession with-
essential. dissent.)
THE INDIAN RIOTING. EXPLANATION OF INTER-COM- MUNAL OUTBURST.
SIMLA, June 16th.." What appears to be a more likely ex-
than the alleged erection of a cinema planation of the Rawalpindi outburst near a mosque, is the action of a socięt known as the Singa Sabba which is alleg
although asked.
sed such a course, believing the Left and Right to be too far apart to agree to a common financial policy.
The question arises whether M. Peret's resignation will be followed by others and lead to an attempt by M. Briand or somebody else to form a Sacred Union Ministry, or whether M. Briand will
simply find a new Finance Minister.
M. Briand is naturally anxious to avoid-a Cabinet orisis antil after Pre-.' sident Doumergue's visit to London.
The Radicala, who are the numerically strongest Party; hold a congress to- morrow to decide their position.
AN ENTIRE SUPPRISE.
PARIS, June 18th. The Cabinet, has resigned. The resignation of the Government came as an entire surprise, inasmuch
in-
thereafter the terms to be subject to revision every ten years according to creased per thousand cubis feet natural gas sold.
of
THE FRENCH FLIGHT.
PELLETIER D'OISY. ARRIVES AT IRKUTSK.
Moscow, June 15th Pelletier 'D'Oisy haa arrived Irkutsk..
LURE OF EGYPT.
A LAND FOR HOLIDAY AND EDUCATION.
WONDERS OF THE PAST..
at
at the shareholders annual meeting held. Indo-China Steam Navigation Company
on Thursday last at Hongkong and covered by Router's despatch in your fasue of yesterday we must, on behalf of those we represent, reply in brief in the meantime to certain questionable statements reported as being made by Mr. Bernard.
LIVING COSTS,
"Firstly, the word 'high in relation to the present cost of living, was not advanced by these Guilda as an argument to the Company's request that members of its floating staff accede to a 20% cut in their salaries; what was urged was that wages had remained stationary since 1920, yet an increased' cost of living of approximately 40% to date. had been met uncomplainingly by all ranks, and it was therefore AD Un reasonable request of the Company to demand that merabers of its floating staff Egypt, the land of the Cheops, Akena-suffer a further out of 20% and still ten, Rameses, Cleopatra, and others maintain that standard of living to whose names are less familiar in the which, by their specialized training, twentieth century, but who were great they are rightfully entitled. in one of the world's earliest civiliza-
"Secondly, the Chairman, Mr. D. G. tions-exercises a strange fascination, a
M. Bernard, knows full well that no
Yet to
or has been received by these Guilds from describe this fascination is impossible.
any other of the coastal shipping com- Egypt, in broad outline, is a narrow
panies, yet these companies are subject - to the same freight conditions and com- strip of verdant sedge which borders one
petition as is, the Indo-China' 'Steam Aelds, palm groves, quaint mud-brick"
itself, i significant. of the world's largest rivers. villages, gleaming white tombs and Navigation Company. This fact, in cd delta to the 'arid, taway desert. Here temples, stretch from the fertile, irrigat and there on the edge of the sand, which stretches south for hundreds of miles from Old Cairo, there are ancient shadowy temples, gorgeously decorated tombs, and all the mystery and glamour of a wonderful past
had definitely reached the conclusion that of the coal trade rested on an artificial out permission past the Jama Mosque as, earlier in the day, M. Briand in the lure to all who have eyes for colour and request for a reduction in salaries was a return to a longer working day was basis. When those artificial props wore and who refused to cease to play music Chamber opposed a demand for an in. spirita receptive of romance.
(Angry Opposition cries of removed and continental competition was revived in an aggravated form, prices fell persistently and consistently until they roached the crisis of last year. The price fell until, quite apart from the subsidy, it was below the cost of production 'is Seventy-three every district, but one.
LONGER HOURA.
Mr. Baldwin said he was influenced to that decision frst and foremost by the intercats of the men. (Opposition pra- tests and Ministerial' cheers.) The Gov- ornment proposed to leave the Seven Hours Act on the Statute Book but to introduce legislation to enable an extra hour to be worked for a time. This would not proscribe longer hours but would permit negotiations to be opened on a basis offering the prospect of far better wages. Hoy received a positive assurance from the owners that on the basis of an eight hours' day in the coal- folds producing approximately hall the country's output the men could be offered the existing wages for July, August and September, while over more than half the -rest of the country the reduction, if any,
PROSPECT OF BETTER WAGES.
mediate debata on the reasons of M. A disturbance was averted at the time Porct's resignation and the financial but the resentment was manifested by situation. Ha promised it should be held the subsequent outbreak of a number of on June 17th and hinted that he would incendiary fires. The King's Royal Rifles resign on the spot if the delay were re were called out to aid the police to sup. fused. The Chamber thereupon, by 30 press rioting, but neither the military votes to 193, fall in with his desire,
The Chamber meanwhile adjourned and nor police fired on the crowd, of whom 14
subsequently the Cabinet met and do cided that it was not possible to per- form the usual re-selling necessitated by M. Peret's withdrawal, and the only thing was to resign collectively.
THE "RUSSIAN MONEY."* SOVIET DENIES GOVERNMENT
SENT FUNDS TO MINERS.
per cent of the output was being pro- duced at a loss. The Coal Commission were killed and 50 sent to hospital, two ors' report definitely stated that no fur-being mortally wounded by shot guns. What Extensive damage was done to private ther subsidy should be given. form of relief could come from within the property, industry The only form of relief was a measure of recrganisation and the re- Let them duction of producing costs. admit at once that the coal industry might be better organised, but that the report of the Coal Commission itself warned the public against any exaggeration, and he wanted the House not to form nu exag gerated view of the possibilities of re- organisation. Having uttered that caveat
Moscow, June 15th.
The Soviet in reply to the British Note, denies that the sums remitted to the British Trades Union Council were sent by the Soviet Government, but by
of another country.
FRANO BALLIES,
LONDON, June 15th. The rally in French franes in London to-day is believed to be due to official support from Paris. They closed at 14. Belgian francs moved sympathe tically,
THE CRISI IN MARCH.
The Cabinet which had now resigned
Cotton
'NOT STAFF'S FAULT.
"The Directors of the Indo-China Steam Navigation Company are well. aware that they cannot conscientiously impute any stigma of inefficiency to the floating staff, who, in their continued
endeavours on the Company's behalf, perform practically double the number of hours which fall to the lot of the
The Great Pyramids near Cairo mark the beginning of the line, which includes
office administration. If then, the Com Memphis, Rameseum, Dendera, Karnak, Luxor, the Yalley of the Boysi Tomba-pany's vessels, have not made the finan with Tutankhamen's jewel-filled sepul- einl return that is alleged, it is certain- chro-Philao and Abu Simbel, to mention ly not the fault of the floating staff. but a few of these well-preserved relics of that age over which there atili hangs & thin veil of mystery.
Yet, it' is the efficient arm of the Company's service that it was proposed should be penalized and because such cavalier and unjust treatment was right ly resented, the Chairman chooses to in- dulge in melodramatics in his speech no cusing the officers of presenting pistols at our heads, which type of phraseology is doubtless intended to assuage the feelings of the shareholders at Home, though we feel it will be poor comfort.
Egypt, however, shows other sights. It has curious Cairo, where East meets West in a blaze of colour; where inter national society dances, golfs, polos, and rides, while bitter winds sweep its native lands. This great African city, which is half-East and half-West, has Shepheard's, one of the world's most famous caravanserai, and it bas the old Mosque and the Semiramis, one of the most up-to-date hotels in Europe; there CHINESE TARIFF CONFERENCE
is the great carpeted circle of Moham med Ali and the Citadel of many tragedies.
There is the Nile. A dlm ribbon of blue water, with tall-maated, white-sailed
.
LUXOR'S WONDERA.
DIFFICULTIES ARISE IN ABSENCE OF A GOVERNMENT, According to Mr. Rodney Gilbert, the
Chinese Tariff Conference will probably Peking correspondent of the W.-D. Jails
fade quietly away instead of blowing up News, there is a possibility that the
with great violence. Mr. Gilbert adds that it does not appear by any means certain now that the Washington provi sions for 2 and 3 per cent, surtaxes ard going to be "implemented," as the tech- nicians put it, so it is hard to appraise the results of the conference except in. negative terms.
would be materially less than a ton per he said let the reorganisation be carried the Central Council of the Labour has only held office for a little more Mousky; or quaint bazaars. It has the Blue
Unions. It disavows the Government's than three months, having been appoint- cent. drop. At present the offered now out on the fines recommended in the re-responsibility beyond that involved by ed on March 9th last. It was formed wage would be guaranteed during July,port. That was his offer to the coal-
also was the owners and the miners which had been granting & permit to remit the money by M. Briand in ten hours record August and September.
rejected. The Government were prepared abroad, but points out that the Govern in French politics, an
ment cannot prohibit Trade Unions.com fact that it was the ninth time on which The Premier went on to say that in to help any effort in the industry that
difference, past swaying shadufs and the meantime the Government would could increase its productivity and its prising millions of workers sending M. Briand had assumed the Premier-gyassas-looking like paisted ships upon Ministry and the Cabinet included creaking water-wheels, between endless press on with the reorganisation legisla-power to pay wages, and the Premier money abroad to aid the Trade Unionists ship. He himself retained the Foreign a printed ocean-flowing with serene in- Raoul Peret (Finance). M. Malvy (In- palm graves. There are the amazing tion and the coal-owners would do their cited the opinion of the, Coal Commission
terior), M. Painlevo (War), M. Laval sunsets over the Western desart. utmost to make effective such proposals regarding the necessity of wage reduc
(Justice), M. Leon Perrier (Colonies), of the Coal Commission as were secesnary tione.
and M. Lamoureux (Public Instruction). not to leave any doubt that the men
The last resignation followed a vote would get all that was due to them under
in the Chamber, by 274 to 221, separating the wages obtainable. Wagos, after
WASHINGTON, June: 16th.
tax payments from the Finance Bill, September, would be based on the ancering hours, they would have to be on such
Foreign War Debt payments amount which the Government made a qucation tained proceeds of the industry and it
A scale, if the industry was to be carried might reasonably be hoped that the
ing to 877,763,000 made to the United of confidence. The Government defeat States Treasury yesterday, comprising on a crucial point was the upshot of a wages in a substantial portion of the
Britain's half yearly instalment of protracted discussion on the Finance industry would be maintained, if not actually increased. The Government would shortly introduce a Bill to give were so bad that the minimum rates on 207,950,000 and $5,000 from Italy, both Bill, which lasted from the morning of
a seven hour day if fixed on the universa! in United States securities, are helping March 5th to 0.30 mm. on the following tombs, among which is thint of Tutankha carry out the terms of any sort of an
offact to the recommendations of the Commission requiring legislation.
TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.
Mr. Baldwin, after detailing the pro- posod legislation, snid that as regards the temporary assistance promised the in dustry the money that would be available would be about 25,000,000, and he thought. it could more usefully be spent to assist ing miners displaced in the pits. He can cluded by saying that whether a settle ment was reached or not they were going on (Ministerial cheers.) He hoped the two parties, recognising their grave re- sponsibility, would now got together and, attempt to reach a settlement, and not carry
on the unhappy dispute to the bittor
cad.
·LABOUR OBJECTIONS,
7
LONGER HOURS- PREFERABLE..
Ho said it was quite clear that if wages reductions were to be made on the cxist-
on in many parts of the country, that no one would like to sop such wages offered. The conditions of the industry
(EKUTER'S AMERICAN SERVICE} WAR DEBTS TO US. TREASURY DEPT. ENABLED TO WITHDRAW SECURITIES.-
There is Luxor, around which is con- centrated more of interest and wonder than in any other part of Egypt. Here was ancient Thebes, the four-thousand year old city of Rameses the Great, and once the capital of the world. The mas. aive columns of the Temple of Luxor servo only as an introduction to the wonderful ruins of Katuak, a minas of and statues, occupying an area about carved and decorated columns, pylons two miles in circumference.
Ten days ago many of "the delegates insisted that the conference might in- dulge in a vacation at the end of June resumed in the autumu if there were a but that the sessions would certainly he
certainly would be no indefinite postpone- Government here then, and that there ment ratil the Chinese themacives with- Across the Nile ties the Valley of the drew or until they had given such con- Kings and Queena. Here are the painted vincing evidence of their inability to men, and in another vault are the bodies agreement as would satisfy public opinion Royal Master so that their spirits might. dent. Since then, despite Japaness of slaves who were buried with their of the most sentimental sort in the Ocei- still attend on him in the life beyond. denisis, the special delegates have un About a hundred and forty miles south doubtedly made up their minds that they of Luxor stands the most beautiful little will be leaving China for good in a few place on the bank of the Nile-here filled weeks, whether the Washington surtazes are imposed or not and that there is no. with picturesque and rocky islands. This is Assouan, and bear by is the temple real likelihood of the revival of the con of Philao, now partly submerged by the ference in anything like its present form
in the immediate future.sh Away over the desert sand is the Casis
This means simply that the majority of told their spokeman that he would stand of the Fayoum, & picturesque country the delegates have seen enough to con Eathonia has discharged her first instal-bodied in the Finance Bill. M. Briand Great Dam. ment of $50,000 under the war debt agree by M. Doumer (the Finance Minister) of palms, ancient canals, and quaint vince themselves, and presumably their and expressed the conviction that the villages, but to write briefly of Egypt's Governments also, that there is not going ment with the United States.
country, which opposed the Cabinet attractions is as difficult as it is to der to be a Government, in. Chins for a long while competent to make and execute a. crisis, supported the Government's sp-cribe its Eastern charm. peal to the Chamber to sink party dif Egypt is always there. Only the bril bargain. It is tantamount to confession ferences in the national interest, and liant circle of society at Cairo, Luxor. that the Republic of China has ceased concluded by asking if he were over and Assouan comes and goes with to exist without much prospect of a roc thrown, where would Government and the seasons. Yet Egypt is as fascinat-surrection. T
minimum, would be such as it would be the Treasury to withdraw $230,000,000 day. impossible to ask the industry to pay. It is for that reason," declared Mr. Baldwin, "that we have come quite de- Snitely to the conclusion in favour of
Premier added that they regarded, this return to a longer working day." The form of sacrifice one which was prefor able to the alternative of a greater sacrifice of
worth of maturing securities. The balance. It was stated at the time, that nerves of the total will be made up by payments were largely responsible for the political of cash from Belgium and other Euro- denouement of March last, everybody be ing worked out in the nightlong debate. Trouble with the Right groups began pean countries..
when they demanded M. Briand to open- ly condemn the Socialist policies om-
BLEUTER'S AGENCY.]··
GERMAN COAL CONTRACTS CONCLUDED DAILY WITH CONSUMERS.
ESTILONIA PAYS EXTORE TINE,
NEW YORK, June 15th. Although not payable until 1930,
AMERICAN WAR CLAIMS. BENATOR BORAH'S RESOLUTION ADOPTED BY THE SENATE
WASHINGTON, June 18th.
BERLIN, June 16th. Since the beginning of the coal strike
The Senate has adopted the Borah re- solution asking Mr. Kellogg to stato in Britain, pithead stooks in the Ruhr V. Hartshora (Labour) said that have been reduced by about 900,000 tons. the situation was grave bofore Mr. Bald Now long term contracts with home and what has been duno regarding the claims This led to the Cabinet resigning, but and. interest. It has earned, a false re the alleged violation of neutral Fights foreign consumers are being concluded againg France and Britain arising from daily. The stoppage, if it lasta much in war time, and has also adopted the longer will result in an increase in the McKellar resolution asking for the Debt production of coal not merely in the Rubre Commission to investigate whether Francs is trying to arrange private fonus, Valley, but also in Bilcaia.
British railway companies are already in America contigent upon ratification of
the debt nettlement." enquiring about Silesian coal.
win's speech but it was even graver now, (Opposition chears and cries of “Coal owner's touts" nod "You have thrown the country into chaos."). Mr. Hartshorn declared that it was impossible to induce the users to accept lower Wagen or longer hours and even if they did that
a majority be found? The recriming ing. ander the hot sun and deep Logically the question of the Washing tions of the Ministerialists and the Right blue sky of summer as it is when the cool ton surtaxes cannot be disassociated from did not improve matters, and when a winds stir its palms. To the sun-starred all the other problems before the con- vote was taken the Right voted against dweller in northern landa, Egypt offers ference. If Chins is not enough of a the Government practically en bloc, a sumar holiday of unequalled charm nation to sign and execute an agreement she is not enough of a nation to receive a concession and administer now revenues.. The logic of this position: Is beyond centros of international society, it is not choop during the short but brilliant cavil and if the Japanese delegates stick season. In summer, however, one can to it, they may prevent the other Powers M, Brinad Inter formed a new Ministry, putation for costly luxury, Lake K
live comfortably in Cairo and elsewhere from simply sliding out of the conference down the Nile for about 30 day. Its with a generous farewell gesture. Under temples, its tombs, and its colours are not such circumstances either the conference dimmed by the absence of its rich, winter ends and China gets nothing, like the rest day, it is an education Nation and renewed in due course and married
through to the bitter end. devotees, snd Egypt is more than a holi- of us, or the sessions will have to be
Athenas
MORE ENERGETIO FINANCIAL POLICY
ADVOCATED. NO
Pants, June 10th. The papers unanimously urgo a more energetic financial policy, and several state the Government should be granted plan drafted by the Financial Expert full powers in order to carry out the Committee.
0