INDUSTRIAL SUICIDE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 10

INDUSTRIAL SUICIDE.

LABOUR FIGHTING CAPITAL

COST OF THE COAL STRIKE.

ITS FAR REACHING RESULTS

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON". Wednesda v

The Hon. J. <;. Coates. at the annual dinner of the Chamber of Commerce, said: "It may be said that the real cost of the strike has been the" value of tho*c goods and services which, as the result of the coal strike in England, have hot. been produced. In other words, the real loss is that of production. It has aho been claimed that, as the result of this huge economic loss, the standard of living of the British public has been permanently reduced. The effects have been so widespread that, there is hardly a section of the whole community that ' has not been injuriously affected to a I greater or less extent. No numerical statement can express the full significance of such features of the strike as the lowering of the vitality of the population in particular areas, chang.-s in industrial phschology in the relations between employers and employed. Instead of exporting Britain was importing coal at the rate of 50.000.000 tons a year, and these coal importations have probably put the national acounts to the bad to "the extent of about £50,000,000. In such a critical year it is indeed unfortunate that the hope of recovery should have been dashed, not by foreign competition, but by industrial suicide within the heart of the Empire itself." He thought that perhaps the lesson wo cOuld be learn was this: It showed once more how necessary it was that labour and capital must have a complete understanding, not only in reference to their own relationship, but also to the relationship of their product as it met the products of competitive countries. One might almost use the same remark in regard to the business community and cities of this country and to producers in country districts. It was absolutely essential that there should not be a misunderstanding, but close co-operation and combination on the part of both, in order that this could be realised.