NATIONALISATION OF MINES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17729, 13 September 1919, Page 9

NATIONALISATION OF MINES.

TRADES UNION CONGRESS RESOLUTION. THE GOVERNMENT CHALLENGED. THREAT TO CLOSE THE MINES. I resa Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. LONDON, September 11. . Robert Smillie's (president of the Miners federation) motion pledges the Parliamentary Committee to convene a special congress to decide what action bbouid be taken to compel the Government to act in the event of nationalisation of tho mines being refused. ~ Smillio said: " There is nothing of a Syndicalist character in our claims at the present time; but the time may come I when industries will advance further. I | do not doubt that, if the miners were so j advised, they would stop every mine in | tho country until the mines are nationalI lsed; but that would mean the stoppage ! of all industries dependent upon coal, and | we do not want to do it." j Mr .Thomas, railwaymen's secretary, in ■ seconding the motion, admitted that State | ownership of the railways in the war I Period had created a bad impression upon tho public, due to a 50 per cent, increase j in fares and to inconvenience owing to I mismanagement; but that was not what j State ownership would be. Mr Thomas j added * "I believe the Government will refuse nationalisation; bat State owner - , ship of mines is interdependent with the I prosperity of the country." Mr Havelock Wilson (seamen's sect'ej tary) opposed the resolution. He said j that Stat© officials were not the proper j people to manage an industry. e .j COn ® rc£?s take a straight vote on Friday on the subject of direct action. —A. and N.Z. Cable. DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER. A REFUSAL EXPECTED. __ LONDON, September 11. j i Union Congress resolved to send a deputation to Mr Lloyd George. It is anticipated that the Prime Minister will refuse the immediate nationalisation of the coal mines, and in this event the congress will meet in accordance with I -yr R. Smillie's motion.—A. and N.Z Cable.