THE BOARD OF TRADE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16501, 31 July 1919, Page 4

THE BOARD OF TRADE.

AND COAL MINE MANAGEMENT. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. Mr. AAL G. M‘Donald, acting-chair-man of tho board, pointed out to-day that misapprehension appeared to exist regarding the nature of tho scope of the board’s recommendations for the establishment of a Dominion coal board to take over the existing coal companies on certain conditions. It had never recommended the present shareholders being guaranteed any return. To purchase the mines, tho Government would have to borrow and pay interest to bond holders, who would have no direct incentive to sec that the coal mining venture of the State was efficiently managed, whereas, under the recommendation of the Board of Trade, tile board was of opinion that it would ho beneficial to tho coal mining industry to foster to a higher degree enterprise, initiative, and resourceful management and the accumulation out of the profits of tho industry of a fund adequate for its future development without its becoming a burden upon other industries of the Dominion. Therefore the board’s recommendation, if given effect to, would amount to tlie establishment of partnership between the State, Capital, and Labour in tbe coal mining industry. Such a body would give the mine workers a voice in the. determination of the business policy of the industry, and iu the conduct of the management, thereby improving their status and alleviating, if not removing entirely, eases of Industrial strife and misunderstanding, both of whicli had been a marked feature of the trade's history during recent years, to the great detriment of the entire community. Tho proposal "to raise by taxation money to buy out the present shareholders amounted to a levy on tho other industries for the benefit of the ronl mining industry, ami was unsound iu principle. PUBLIC OAVNKRSIIIP SUGGESTED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. Hie AA'oolstou Borough Council passed a resolution in favour of public ownership and control of mining, transportation. and distribution oi coal, with adequate representation of workers on the board of control, and condemned the proposal for semi-pri-vaio control of the coal mining industry with a State guarantee of dividends to private shareholders embodied in ihe Board of Trade's report. MUNICIPAL COAL BUSINESS. CHRISTCHURCH. July 30. The special committee of the City, Council this afternoon to re-’ commend to the City Council that the municipality should go into business as coal dealers permanently. It was decided that none of the roal obtained by the municipality should ho sold to dealers, and that the municipality should control and distribute the supplies it obtains. The necessary officials were appointed to properly carry on tho business.