MINERS IN CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17257, 5 September 1919, Page 7

MINERS IN CONFERENCE.

NATIONALISATION DEMAND GOVERNMENT CRITICISED. TEMPTING DIRECT ACTION. By Telegraph— —Copyright. A. and N.Z. LONDON, Sept. 3Mr. Robert Smillie, president of ■ the Miners' Federation of Great Britain, presiding at the annual conference which opened to-day, declared that the Government was anxious by conjuring tricks to divert the people's attention from the Sankey Commission revelations. Mr. Lloyd George, in opposing nationalisation, was the mouthpiece of the capitalists, but the duty of the Prime Minister was to deal with principles, not details. The miners were not merely actuated by a desire for improving their own conditions, but were genuinely convinced that nationalisation was essential in the interests of the nation, the industry, and the poorer consumers. Mr. Smillie agreed with Mr. Justice Sankey that if the mining industry were owned by the State and governed and controlled by joint committees, the causes of nine-tenths of the strikes would be removed. He concluded by insist-

ing that the Government shouk carry out the majority report. Mr. W. Brace moved a resolutioi to adopt the recommendation of th< executive to invite the Trades Unioi Congress to declare that the fullesi and most effective action be taker to secure the adoption by the Gov ernment of the majority report o: the Sankey Commission. He con tended that nationalisation of th< mines was the one scheme holding the field. He added that he was i moderate man, but he had not yel declared that he would not agree with direct action. All depended or circumstances, but he would say tc the Government, " Why tempt a big organisation like this to take direct action The resolution was carried. Mr. Smillie pointed out that the miners would be consulted before any action was taken. The conference, sitting privately, decided that at the conference to be held to-morrow with the executive of the Triple Labour Alliance a ballot should be taken regarding direct action.

DECLINING COAL OUTPUT. SHORT HOURS AND STRIKES. United Service. LONDON, Sept. 3. The Board of Trade published statistics showing the declining output of coal. The fall has averaged over two million tons weekly since April, owing to shortened hours and I strikes.