The following article is by a Labour correspondent of the London Daily News,"" a Radical organ. It may therefore be supposed to be partisan. At the same time it is always interesting to hear the other side.
Readers will remember well the events connected with the 6s. increase in the price of coal, Within a few months it was possible to prove, by ascertained figures, the truth of the contention that the increase was unnecessary. The estimates of Sir Auckland Geddes were shown to be far wide of the mark and after strong pressure kad been applied to the Government a concession was made in an unexpected form. The reduction of the whole 6s., on house hold and industrial coal alike, was demanded, but the Government decided to limit a reduction to household coa! and to take off 10s. per ton. Some reduction in the cost of bunker coal for the coasting trade was also promised.
It is interesting to recall the argument by which Sir Auckland Geddes justified this action. The Government had strongly resisted the "reduction in price'? movement but at this time public resentment at the continuance of an imposition which was regarded as unjustifiable proved to he stronger than the "ade interests which were exerting their influence against reduction,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.