BRITAIN’S COAL MINES

Evening Star, Issue 19196, 12 March 1926, Page 9

BRITAIN’S COAL MINES

THE COMHISSIOH’S RETORT SUBSIDIES UNSATISFACTORY NATIONALISATION CONDEMNED VARIOUS REORGANISATION PROPOSALS Press Association— By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, March 10. The report of the Coal Commission, which is unanimous, says that the change in the fortunes of the coalmining industry is the result of powerful economic forces and cannot he attributed to political unrest, the restriction of output among the mineis on the one hand or the inefficiency of the management on the other hand. At the same time, it says, we cannot agree with the mine owners that little can bo done to improve the organisation of the industry and that the only practicable course is to lengthen the hours and lower the wages. In out view largo changes are necessary in other directions. Large progress is possible, and immediate measures are indispensable to deal with the immediate position. The problem is two-fold. It has a permanent aspect and a tcmpoiaiy aspect. PRIVATE ENTERPRISE ESSENTIAL The report details the defects of the j Industry. ,i It rejects the proposal ot tho Miners Federation to nationalise the mines as unworkable and as not offering clear social gain. We perceive in this, proposal, it says, grave economic dangers and find no advantages that cannot bo obtained in other ways. We therefore contemplate the continuance of the industry under private enterprise, but cake a number of proposals for rejrgauisation. REORGANISATION OF INDUSTRY After ' detailing these tho report refers to the nation’s grave anxiety last summer when it was coni routed with the possibility of an industrial conflict, on an unprecedented scale, and savs: The way to prosperity lies along three chief lilies of advance, namely:—| The greater application of sciejico to the winning and using of coal. Larger units for production and distribution. Fuller partnership between employers and employed. In all three respects progress must i come mainly from within the industry. The State can help materially. First, by substantial payments to aid research. j Secondly, by removing the obstacles to amalgamation under the existing leases. Thirdly, as the owners of the minerals' by determining tho conditions of the new leases. Fourthly, by legislation for tho establishment of pit committees and profit-sharing, and in other ways. The future depends primarily on the leadership and the general level of opinion among the mine owners and the miners. We are firmly convinced that if tho present difficulties are wisely handled tho mining industry, with the aid of science, will certainly recover and even surpass its former prosperity. MINERAL OWNERSHIP The report under the heading “ Recommendations for Reorganising” says that past errors in allowing the ownership of coal to fall into private hands should be retrieved. .The minerals should be acquired by the State by purchase wjiere they have a market value, and by a declaration of State ownership in the case of unproved or deep level coal, which nt present has no market value. Safeguards should : be adopted against excessive compen- i action claims. A Coal Commission should be appointed under the authority of the Secretary of Minos to acquire and administer mineral property. AMALGAMATION The amalgamation of many of the present small units of production is both desirable and practicable. Each case should be treated individually. The State as the mineral owner should be able to promote desirable amalgamations when granting or renewing leases CO-ORDINATION The report says that the closer connection with mining and allied industries, not merely the electrical trade, should be promoted. The development of electrical supply under the Government’s new proposals should be closely co-ordinated with the generation of electricity at the mines. Tho power and light requirements of tho country should be under a constant and com- | prebensive survey, and a body should be formed for the purpose. We propose the establishment of a Rational Fuel and Power Committee with advisory powers, composed of representatives nominated by the Government from the official and other bodies concerned. The existing provision for research should be largely extended by the industry, with tho support of the State. It is urgently necessary to find new methods of_ winning and utilising coal. Great national advantages would ensue if the processes of low-tempera-ture carbonisation were perfected, particularly through the production of smokeless fuel and the provision of large supplies of mineral oil. The State should financially support further experiments on these lines. DISTRIBUTION The report under the heading “ Distribution ” says that tho industry has failed to realise the benefits of cooperation and tho large financial advantages to be derived frem the formation of co-operative selling agencies, which are specially needed for the export trade. The Government should consider the establishment of an cificial system for the sampling and analysis of coal with a view to encouraging the selling on specification and guarantee in both the home and foreign markets. The local authorities should he empowered to engage in the retail sale of coal. We propose measures for larger mineral on the railways and greater concentration of the ownership of the wagons. A standing joint committee of the Ministry of Transport and the Mines Department should be formed to promote these measures. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYED The report states that changes are necessary in the relations between tho employers and the employed, which are of fundamental importance. Amendments are needed in the methods of ascertaining the proceeds of the industry and for fixing wages. The standard length of the working clay, which now averages 7i hours underground, should not be altered, but an optional redistribution of hours within tho present weekly total over a week of five days, instead of six, should be considered. The multiple shift system should be extended, and joint pit committees should generally be established. The methods of the payment of men not employed at tho face should he revised, in order to give them a direct interest in the output. The in-i troduction of the family allowance system is desirable, and pooling schemes

should he adopted to prevent married men with families from being prejudiced in obtaining employment. MINERS’ WELFARE Profit-sharing schemes should bo generally adopted and made obligatory Iby statute. Proper provision for houses for the workers should be a condition of tho lease of all new collieries. Tho general establishment of pithead baths was necessary. This should bo undertaken bv tho existing miners’ welfare fund, which should ho increased by a substantial contribution from tho royalties. Annual holidays with pay should bo established when prosperity returns to the industry. A period of four months is necessary to bring into effect any of these measures of reorganisation, and years are necessary to bring all into full operation. NO SUBSIDIES We express no opinion whether the 1 granting of a subsidy last July was unavoidable, hut wo think that its continuance is indefensible. The subsidy should cease at the end of its authorised term, and should never he repeated. THE WAGES PROBLEM After rejecting the mine-owners’pro-posals to increase tho hours, reduce the wages, and largely diminish tho railway rate by lowering the wages of the raiiwaymon, the report points out that tho Minors’ Federation abstained from suggesting any means of meeting the immediate situation. Therefore the duty devolved on tho Commission to formulate proposals. The report says that a revision of the minimum percentage addition to flie standard rate of wages fixed in 1924 during a time of temporary prosperity is indispensable to save the .u.lnMry from impending disaster. Tho wages of the lowest-paid men should bo trr.cguarclod by a continuance of 'he s; stem of subsistence allowance. Should the miners prefer some extension of hours with a less reduction of wages, Parliament will doubtless authorise it. Wo trust, however, that this will not occur. A considerable variation in the rate of wages in several districts is bound to continue, but wo are strongly of opinion that the national wage agreements should continue. We recommend that representatives of tho employers and employed should meet. —A. and N.Z. Cable. COMMENTS ON REPORT LONDON, March 11. The earliest impressions of tho Labor attitude on the Coal Commission’s report were gathered in the parliamentary lobby, where the Opposition members emphaticallv declare that tho miners will not hear of the proposed reduction of wages. Several Lahorites recognise that there are many good constructive points in the report, notably the suggestion in regard to the nationalisation of minerals and the recommendations that the local authorities should engage in coal distribution and the amalgamation of' the smaller mines; but a notable weakness pointed out is that the report docs not provide a basis for a discussion of the problem with which the industry will bo faced on May 1, when the subsidy terminates.—A. and N.Z. Cable. [The Coal Commission, or Court of Inquiry, was appointed by the British Government in July, 192-j, to inquire into the position in the indc.try. The personnel was as follows:—-Mr H. P. Macmillan, K.C. (chairman), Mr W. Sherwood, and Sir Josiah Stamp. The court was given no administrative power, its purpose being to bear all the evidence available on the subject, and thus to help the public to form its own opinions as to the merits of the dispute between the owners and the mine workers.]