COAL MINES CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 120, 14 February 1920, Page 7

COAL MINES CONTROL

' ' \ . ♦ NATIONALISATION PROPOSAL IN BRITAIN. , 1 ' London, February 12. ...Mr, W. 'Brace anov<ji the Labour amendment to the Address-in-Reply in the-House of Commons, regretting, the absence of a proposal to nationalise the coal mines on the lines recommended ill the Snnkey Majority Report. Mr. Lloyd George, in reply, said that nationalisation.was impossible without a bureaucracy. He contended that it had not been shown that nationalisation v.ouki be able to produce the excellent and progressive 'results attained under private ownership.- He ridiculed Hie idea that men would work harder ..for the Statu than for private interests, and referred to the unsatisfactory results of .nationalisation in Bolshevik Russia, where it was leading to compulsory labour. Nationalisation would discourage tho development of tho mining- industry, because tho present risks, frequently involving tho most ' considerable losses, would, not be undertaken Hinder nationalisation. Ho contended that tho real aim of the Miners' Federation* was- to obtain full control of tho mines. That was not nationalisation. (Loud cheers.) Tho handing over of this great national asset to one industry would be a disaster >tothe community. A Bill' which the Government was going to introduce was designed to improvo mining industrial conditions, and give tlie miners a more effective voice in control,' and an opportunity of contributing their experience and counsel to the management. Doaliii" with an extremist speech yy the Labour'M.P., Mr. Lunn.. the Prime Minister said Mr. Lunn proposed that a privileged minority should dictate to tho majority. The Prime Minister declared amid prolonged cheers: On that issue we will fight him to the death, for success would mean the establishment ot a Soviet and the* end of constitutional S °Mr /U Hartshorn warned the House .that if the proposals,■ the miners would take decisive action at an early conference. o.™ Tho amendment was defeated by votes to Gt— Aus.-N.Z. Cable\Assn.-Reu-tc-r. ■ ■ FIRST MOVE IN.. NEW. STRUGGLE. ■ London, February 12. The "Daily Chronicle." the Priiuo Minister's principal organ, interprets Mr. Llovd George's speech in the .House or Commons as the first move in a new political struggle which _ may greatly affect the parties. .It gives the Coalitionists. the paper fays, a definite lead, and will probably heal the differences v,-liicli have lately attracted. _ attention, ilt. will certainly rally the Unionist wing. The smaller, policies which, have tended to divide the Coalitionists will disappear in the resistance to all-round nationalisation, and especially in" the fight ot constitutionalism -against, direct action.-Aus'.-N.Z. Cable A6sn. . ' WILL THE MINERS STRIKE? (Rec. February M, 1.15 a.m.) London, February 13. ' Mr. Hartshorn, member of. the House of Commons and leader tho bout l Wales miners, caused a mild-sensation bv asserting in the House of Commons that tho rejection of. nationalisation or the mines meant that tho miners would soon take direct, action. Other leadeis do-not .believe thai. minors wi 1 strike, though they admit that the s tuation requires careful handlmp. •l.iteio will be much discussion-before the miners' policy "is settled... The federations executive' meets next week,, and- *m summon a . national conference. J hers will-also be. a conference of the executive witli the Parliamentary Committee of. the Trade Union. Congress. These deliberations must, absorb several weeks, and a strike could not occur under t«o months. .Besides.this it that the miners would strike withmit the consent of the Triple Alliance, which it is extremely doubtful if they wmild get. A possible alternative for a strike is a demand for more wages. The South Wales miners are already, demanding a 50 per cent, increase.—Aus.-N.4- CaUlo Assn. ' ' - '

■ EARLY STRIKE PREDICTED. (Rec. February 14, 0.5 a.m.) London, February 12. Mr v; Hartshorn, Labour member of tho House of Commons for Ogmere, says Hint-, there , will be a coal strike in six weeks' time. The issue of nationalisation must now be decided outside Parliament He predicts that a nationalisation- measure will be Pf®*" , v lftm three months.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.