NATIONALISATION OF COAL MINES.

Colonist, Volume LV, Issue 13809, 25 August 1913, Page 2

NATIONALISATION OF COAL MINES.

'A cable message was recently published recording the introduction of a Bill into the House of Commons for tho nationalisation of all coal mines and minerals. The further details of the measure (which was brought in by Mr. Stephen Walsh, the Labour member for the Inco division of Lancashire) make clear its far-reaching character. It provides for the fixing of a day on whicli tho State is.to take over all the coal mines and minerals in the country. Compensation is to be paid to all who have bona fide invested their money in, the sinking and equipment of mines, but no compensation is to bf^ paid to royalty owners. The amount of compensation is to bo calculated on the actual output of the previous five years, a maximum.of 10s per ton being paid in tho case of mines with an oiitput of more than 10,000 tons a year, and of 12s per ton in minos of smaller production. A.Minister of Mines is to hi- appointed, ' with commissioners to give him advice, three representing the Mining' Association, three the Miners' Federation, and throe the Trades' Uaion Congress. 'The Minister ofj Mines is to be empowered to acquire any land compulsprily, to carry on the business of vending coal to consumers, and to fix the price of coal. The mines are to be acquired by the formation of v Three- Per Cent. Coalmines Stock, tho dividends payable out of the proceeds of the business. Tha Bill has, of course, no chance of being placed on tho Statute Book, or even of being considered by the House of Commons, but it indicates the trend of Labour opinion in the Mother Country.