Australia’s Coalmine Dictator

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 188, 9 August 1941, Page 7

Australia’s Coalmine Dictator

EXTREME POWERS TO CONTROL INDUSTRY Received Friday, 11.35 p.m. MELBOURNE, Aug. 8. Tho newly-appointed Commonwealth Coal Commissioner (Mr. Norman Mighell) is taking over his duties immediately. lie has extreme powers to control every aspect of production, treatment, handling, supplying, distribution, storage and use of coal. He may close or open mines, extend mechanisation, fix freights and colliery profits and acquire the output of any mine. All the existing managerial aud technical facilities will, however, be used by the Government. Federal Ministers so far are unable to indicate how the new coal regulations will operate in settling industrial disputes which cause colliery proprietors a perpetual headache. The Minister of Labour (Mr. Holt) gave an assurance to-day that tho regulations would not cut across the existing conciliation machinery. Colliery proprietors are incensed over the inclusion of the miners* representative (Mr. Nelson) on the new Commission and the non-inclusion of an employers' representative. The New South Wales Minister of Mines (Mr. Baddeley) also is annoyed because the State Government has been completely ignored in all negotiations for taking over the coalmines.