Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1948. Seven-hour Day

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 April 1948, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1948. Seven-hour Day

F T’HE decision of the Government to re- * duee the official hours of work in the mines to seven a day really amounts to an increase in pay. In effect, the Government has given official ■ approval to a practice which has long been in vogue, that of working shorter hours than those prescribed by agreement, and at the same time has rewarded the employees concerned. They are now to be paid for an hour which they do not work and which, in fact, they have not worked for some time. To put the position that way is not merely td pass harsh judgment on the miners or to express outright condemnation, in precise terms, of their approach to the simple matter of work. What it does do is to state plainly the effect of the Government’s decision — and that is what the Government has not seen fit to do. Frankness with the people —with the people who have to make good through taxation, and higher prices the deficiencies of its undertakings —is certainly not one of its attributes. It will be conceded by most people that there is a strong case for having conditions in the. mining industry as attractive as possible,' within the bounds of reason. It will likewise be conceded that pay should, as far as possible, equate the degree ol necessity of the commodity produced. But to argue solely on those lines leads to insurmountable difficulties. Food, for instance, is much more necessary to national life than coal, which even now is being replaced to some degree in industry by substitutes. And, of course, the producers of food will always have a strong case for remuneration in relation to the importance of then* industry to the national welfare. Question Of Limit

But while it is conceded I hat coal-mining conditions should be as attractive as possible, it is undeniable that the question of the Ihnit to which rewards in the industry should go cannot be lightly disregarded. The latest concession will undoubtedly mean a sharp rise in the cost of production —estimated to be in some eases at least 12 & per cent, and probably 17 per cent; Objection to the rise in costs would naturally diminish a-little if there were any guarantee of a rise in production. Whether the increased costs are met through higher subsidies or by raising the price coal to the consumer, the people will have to pay. And increased costs are met by the people in all manner of ways, even down to an extra threepence or so on a shirt when one manufactured in New Zealand can be bought. The Minister of Mines, Mr McLagan, was reported some time ago to have said that, nationalisat ion of mines was the only means of eliminating the subsidies 1o mine owners. To. the extent that, this plan will dispense with subsidies to private ownership I his statement is true, but the taxpayers have already found that ownership by the Slate certainly does not result in any the drain on the public purse. Two years ago the coal subsidies totalled approximately £1,500,000 and about, twothirds of it was paid on State-mined coal, mainly in "wages. The figure must by now be approaching the two million matl\. There is obviously not much room for hope, unless the cost to the consumer is steeply raised, that in Air McLagan’s werds “coal production could bo made so efficient that subsidies would not be necessary.” But, it seems necessary io emphasise, whether costs are met through higher, prices or higher subsidies, the people will have to pay. There would undoubtedly be some consolation if the perennial shortage of coal were eliminated. Coal From Britain

In this connection the importation of thousands of tons of coal from Britain is a reflection on the Dominion. It means reducing the quantity of coal which Britain needs urgently for other purposes. In the last Mines Statement presented io the New Zealand House of Representatives, the Minister said that “every precaution is being taken to maintain coal production at a level in keeping with the needs of the country.” The Minister, surely, does not now suggest that his latest decision is jn accord with that declared objective. As the position stands, the British minor is working longer hours to help to remedy the deficiencies of New Zealand production. . . - AT The major problem, of mining m New Zealand is undoubtedly the miner. That statement is made without reproach and no lack of sympathy. As we have remarked, few, if any, members of the community will be disposed to deny the miner all those amenities and rewards which Mill ensure his safety and his health, and iccompense him adequately for his work. But the community has, in turrr. the right to- expect from the miner a full sense or his obligation to the nation and an honest approach to his job and the agreements covering it. In harder clays, when the men’s safety, comfort, and health were little enough regarded, the right of collective bargaining was a precious possession, and the jealousy with which it was defended under lhe urgent spur of-fear built a. tradition of antagonism. But that tradition has, surely, been allowed too long to survive its historical justification.

N.Z. GIRLS SELECTED AS AIR HOSTESSES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Three New Zealand girls, Misses Donalda Woodward (Wellington), Daughne ’ Kelpe (Wanganui) and Joy McNeilly (Timaru) have been selected as air hostesses with British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines, which will inaugurate its Sydney-Auckland-Vancouver service early next month. All three New Zealand girls are trained nurses. They are now receiving a month’s instruction at the B.C.P.A. examining school, Sydney.