Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1939. COAL-MINE STOPPAGES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 274, 1 September 1939, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, 1939. COAL-MINE STOPPAGES.

The Hon. P. C. Webb wiil receive whole-hearted support in his condemnation of stoppages at the coal-mines. Within recent weeks there have been several cases of interruption of work on the most flimsy grounds. At this time of international crisis, when there is no telling what demands may be made upon the country, it is essential that industry, of whatever character, should proceed with the utmost dispatch, so that any dislocation due to unavoidable causes may not place an unnecessary handicap upon the community. Apart from this aspect the interests of the country generally should be considered, for coal is an essential commodity, lack of which may entail serious loss on innocent parties. Importation may provide a partial remedy, but at a cost that should not be imposed upon consumers. This aspect of the question was emphasised by the Minister of Mines in addressing Huntly miners a few weeks ago. Mr Webb asked that supplies be kept up, reminding miners of their promise to do so, and warning them of the consequences to the industry of failure. At the present time, also, there is the further consideration of the effect on the overseas funds, which are in such a position that every effort is needed to make them satisfactory. To quote Mr Webb: “ Every ton of coal that we are obliged to import from overseas represents a distinct shrinkage in our sterling funds.” Those funds were required to purchase raw materials and plant from abroad for necessary manufactures that were previously imported. Any extra coal imported, Mr Webb said, deprived the country of the extra material. The same point was made in a more general way by the Prime Minister in the Budget. ” The standard of living,” he said, depends upon the volume of production ... for we cannot consume or exchange what has not been produced. To raise the standard, we must have greater production, and every man . . . can and should make his contribution toward a larger output. I may say that to the extent any man fails to do his best, he is retarding the fulfilment of the Government’s programme of economic and social advancement. Surely the miners have sufficient faith in the leaders of their own party to realise that the Ministers’ words are not idle, that realisation of the national consequences of local disputes compel the issue of a warning that should not be ignored.