SCOTCH SOCIALISM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 82, 31 December 1907, Page 5

SCOTCH SOCIALISM.

MINERS'. FEDERATION. TO NATIONALISE LAND, RAILWAYS, AND MINERALS. CONDITIONS OF HOUSING. BI TBLEGRAFH—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COTnUGHT. London, December 29. The Scottish Miners' Federation Conferonce at Glasgow, by 58 to 43, negatived a proposal to ask Parliament to compel coalmasters to collect Miners' Union funds at the colliery offices. Another resolution expressed extreme disappointment that old ago pensions had not been provided for in last year's Budget. RESTORING STOLEN PROPERTY. (Rec. Dec. 30, 10.20 p.m.) London, December 30. Mr.R. Smillie, President of the Federation, addressing the Conference, compared, unfavourably to Scotlaud, tho conditions of work and of housing in Scotland and Westphalia (a mining province of Prussia). Ho emphasised the fact that there is a large and growing army of unemployed at Glasgow and in other industrial centres, and he urged the Government to deal with the un-, employed. •"'. ■■■'■ .-.'.'" Mr. Smillie denied that the epithet " robbery " could' be truthfully applied, to the proposal to restore stolen property to its rightful owners. (Cheers.) The true salvation of tho country lay through Socialism — through holding tho land, the railways, and tho mines as a means of production to workon behalf of the -whole people, instead of for the private profit of a few. (Cheers.) All the holders of -land-end-wealth were against them; he added, and it would be to the interest of tho workers; if they could secure what - these people possessed at presont. (Renewed cheers.) ' HOMES OF NORTHERN MINERS. : London, December 29. At the instance of Baron Monkswell, Dr. J. S. Haldane, as a Royal Commission, will inspect Scotch minors' houses, with a view to making a recommendation"concerning, housing. -~" 7 :~ :- ; ■■: Mr. R. Smillie, .who, attended the, Conference' in October of the Miners' Federation of Great Britain as a Scotch delegate, seconded the resolution carried by that Conference in favour of tho nationalisation of mines. In doing so, ho.stated that the trueVyaluo of coal should be' tho price necessary' to give the men and lads who risked their lives in the production of it a fair-and reasonable livelihood. That should be the first cost in the selling price, aud it had not been the first cost up to the present. There was no reason why coal should bo ds. or 7s. a ton-at one' time and 165.-at another, ,-aiid, under Government ownership; such a condition could not. exist. ..' John Scott Haldane, M.D., M.A., F.R.S., has served on several departmental ; committees, and has carried ont other special inquiries for, British Government departments ■on puhlie health Questions. ..lie is author of a series of 2>apcrs in scientific journals and bluebooks on the physiology of respiration, and on tho air of mines, factories, dwelling houses, etc. Colliery explosions and:'tho health of mines are subjects on which he has published' works, and his pen lias treated specially of the ravages in mines of that peculiar disease ankylostomiasis. ' Dr. ■Haldane is joint editor and founder of the "Journal of Hygiene"; Metropolitan Gas Referee,' Board of Trade; and Lecturer in Physiology at Oxford TJniversitv. He is ,a brother of the Bight Hon. R. B. Haldane. Secretory for War. ' ■ .- Lord Monkswell is a Liberal ', lie was also a "Progressive on the London Countv Council,' but was, among the'members of that party who were defeated at the lost elections. He was Chairman of tho Council in 1903.