HOW MINERS WOULD RUN THE MINES

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2346, 16 January 1926, Page 9

HOW MINERS WOULD RUN THE MINES

National Power and Transport System

BURNING OUR OWN COAL FOR PROFIT

[By Electric Cable—Copyright] LAuat and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON January 14.

Far-reaching plans for the re-or ganisation of development of the British mining Industry, and the creation of a national power and transport system, prepared by a joint committee representing the whole of the labour movement, have been submitted to the Coal Commission. The scheme involves the nationalisation of* minerals and collieries, and the transformation pf the industry from a coal-extracting to a coal-utilising industry, manufacturing electricity on a large scale and dealing with numerous by-products. It involves also the formation of a power and transport commission representing all the interests, including the workers and consumers, to co-ordinate efforts throughout the country. The proposals, which are completely detailed, Include the expropriation of the present owners by means of stock issued to each vendor in an amount based on the present market price of his holdings, while capital expenditure is provided by a special coal development loan redeemable at a fixed date. EXPERT EXPLAINS. POINTS IN PROPOSALS. LONDON January 14. Professor R. 11. Tawney, a leading Labour economist, who explained the miners’ proposals to the Coal Commission, said that he considered the export of coal at present not effectively organised, exposing the industry to less favourable conditions than If it were one single export system. On being questioned regarding the proposals for the regulation of wages Professor Tawney did not suggest any system of compulsory arbitration. The miners suggested that there should be bargaining between representatives of the producers and consumers. If they disagreed It would -go to an Independent tribunal. He said that the State would have a monopoly of the Home trade under nationalisation. He agreed that if the industry was under nationalisation, It had to pay Its way without subsidy. Three alternatives must be contemplated, namely, reduction of wages, lengthening of hours, and the contraction of the industry. He said that the miners maintained the right to withhold their labour under nationalisation.

On being cross-examined, he said that the proposals in the memoranda had not been submitted to the ballot of miners.