The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, August 7, 1937. N.S.W. COAL CRISIS.

Grey River Argus, 7 August 1937, Page 8

The Grey River Argus SATURDAY, August 7, 1937. N.S.W. COAL CRISIS.

It may be anticipated that a less adamant attitude will be taken up next Tuesday by the coalowners of New South Wales when they resume the conference with the Miners’ representatives. The log submitted by the workers was, in the first place, rejected in summary fashion. The suggestion of the .Mine Owners was that instead of presenting the log to them, the men should, submit it for the adjudication of the Arbitration Court. Nevertheless, the employers now arc busy delibering upon what terms they will on Tuesday offer. They Have the warning of the Miners’ Executive that if those terms are I I unreasonable, the result will be a| general strike. The employers,! moreover, are well aware what this means. When the Northern miners 'were out before, they made something of a record, the strike lasting about a year. On this occasion, it appears that preparations have been made for such another stand. Outside coal might be more or less available, but a long coal strike in , New South Wales must make a great difference for the whole of Australia. Things are now prosperous there. This ?s the point of most importance in the crisis. Why the miners should in such circumstances make their demands for better rates and conditions is a thing many capitalists profess not to. understand. Their view is that if miners or other workers are getting in full time, they ought to be quite satisfied. Never do the majority of employers ask themselves whether they give the workers any inducenient to be satisfied merely when trade is brisk. It is unquestionable that too small a share of the production goes to the biggest .factor in production, which is labour. Why miners, for instance, at a time of brisk trade seek a fairer share of the proceeds of industry and less arduous conditions is not a difficult thing to discern. It is at such times that they are best able to realise the enslaving character of industrial capitalism. In a time of depression, there is only a scramble for bare existence. When work is more plentiful, the worker . obtains a glimpse of the possibilities that exist for a life of more freedom and security, only to recognise at the same time the limitations imposed bn his own freedom and security by the system of industrial capitalism. Hence he is disposed to seek the removal of some at least of these limitations. A good idea of the part which the workers generally play in the prosperity of the whole community is conveyed by the result of any considerable stoppage • of their activity. After all, con- • cessions either in pay or conditions, which are the customary object of such a stand as the New South Wales miners are making, do not in fact release them from industrial bondage. They only make it less irksome. In Australia various interests are now accumulating profit at a rapid rate, and, in the process, depend more than anything else upon the ■ daily grind of the wage-earner. For him there is a rigid enough limitation as to. his income, whereas in the case of profits, “the sky’s the limit.” It may be that were the profits of the New South Wales coal industry

entirely divided among the workers engaged, they would fall far short of doubling the wages. That is not the whole point. The work is difficult and even obnoxious, -whereas the recompense for doing it is inadequate compared with the return to others interested in the industry, whose stocks are to-day soaring high in the market. To the extent that this opportunity is used for bettering the worker’s lot, will be the improvement in it, not merely for the time being, but permanently. It is a stand for security as well as sufficiency. As often has been said, if any industry requires that those who work in it shall forego normal economic rights, it is not an industry worth perpetuating.