The Government and the Coal-owners The most important legislation before
Parliament in the autumn session will be in connexion with coal. The coal-owners have done well in speeding up their marketing scheme, and the Government seem to be duly pleased with them. Up to this point all has gone well. But the marketing scheme is not nearly enough. The miners continue to ask, in quite a good temper so far, that the owners should discuss conditions and wages with them, but the Mining Association continues to assert that it has no powers to treat. The Parliamentary correspondent of the Times says that the Government hope to introduce their Coal Bill in November and pass it before Christmas. The Bill will give the Government compulsory powers over the few collieries which may not have fallen in with the marketing scheme and will also deal with the miners' hours. Our fear is that the coal-owners by hanging back will not improve their case.
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