A SUICIDAL POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1930, Page 8

A SUICIDAL POLICY.

If there were any doubt in the minds of the coalminers of New South Wales as to tho wisdom of the strike they have maintained for* nearly a year the figures published yesterday should have convinced them of the suicidal nature of that policy. Had the men agreed to a reduction of 9d per ton in the hewing rate the stoppage need never have been. The owners and the State and Federal Governments were willing to assist in reducing the selling price of coal and thus enable a larger output to be disposed of, more opportunity of employment for miners following as a matter of course. As it is the deadlock has evidently ruined a large portion of the industry. In levies paid by other unions in support of the miners on strike no less than £1,500,000 has been provided in the last ten months. Despite this there are stories of hardship inflicted upon miners’ wives and children that are unfortunately too true. The indirect loss to the community by the cessation of wage-earning is too serious for correct' estimate at present, but that it has meant ruin for many traders is beyond question. Most tragic of all is the conclusion come to by the State Minister of Mines. He is convinced that when the deadlock is ended and the men are prepared to begin Work again the industry has been so crippled by the fight that it will be unable to absorb all those who seek employment. . The Minister says that at least 5000 miners-' will have to find other occupations when peace is restored. Such a result is deplorable from every point of view, for the lack of employment will affect many besides the miners themselves and will bear most harshly upon those who could neither assist nor prevent the industrial strife for which they must suffer. The history of the struggle is an indication of the hideous travesty the compulsory arbitration system is for maintaining industrial peace. It is little wonder the Australian representative in the United States has urged the Dominion of Canada to eschew its evils and rely upon direct discussion between employer and employee for the settlement of industrial difficulties.