GOAL NATIONALISATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12760, 2 October 1919, Page 7

GOAL NATIONALISATION.

REFERENCES DURING BUDGET DEBATE. I [Fhom Our Correspondent.] ! WELLINGTON, October 1. I During-the debate on tho Budget to-! night some very interesting references wore made to the nationalisation of coal mines. ROAD TO INDUSTRIAL PEACEMr T. M. "Wilford announced himself as an ardent believer in the nationalisation of tho coal mines. To those who pointed to the strikes in present State mines as argument against nationalisation, his answer was that the men in the present State mines were one body in the federation with the men in tfce privately-owned mines, and had therefore to act as one body. He did not pretend that there would be ro itore strikes if the State owned all the mines, but they wanted to eliminate from all essential and primary industries the chances of profit beyond a reasoimble i amount.- lie was satisfied that the time was coming when everybody would realise that Labour was Capital, and that though Capital should have its share, it should not be allowed to strive after big dividends. We should then be a long way on the road to industrial peace. If all mines were owned by the State conditions could be created so favourable to tho workers in them that public opinion would be hostile to any movement to disturb the order of the country and unless public opinion were favourable to those who caused disorder that disorder woald not succeed. " I don't believe in the State running everything," added Mr Wilford, " for private enterprise is as necessary as Stats enterprise, but we have enough State enterprise in this country to realise there is nothing to be afraid of, either in the establishment of a State bank or in nationalising tho coal mines. If you own the coal mines and own the methods of transport, control and distribution, you will go a long way towards settling such troubles as are disturbing the country at present through the coal mines. A VOICE IN CONTROL. Mr W. Downio Stewart suggested that tho last speaker hardly came within sight of the problem as it appealed to leaders of Radical thought. They were all rapidly abandoning the idea of nationalisation as a solution of the industrial problem. " What do you know about it?" came a startling interruption from the public gallery, to which the speaker replied by stating that the nationalisation of an industry did not mean an improved position from the view of those who desired to get rid of the capitalist, because tho latter only entrenched himself more securely bydrawing revenue from guaranteed State debentures. What the worker wanted was a voice in the control of the industry. HOPES OF AN EX-MINISTER. The Hon W. D. S. Mac Donald, who was Minister of Mines in the National Cabinet, referred to the mining trouble by expressing a belief that it was in the best interests of the country for every section of tlie people to try and pull its sharo of the load, and thus help production instead of restricting it. The proposals to nationalise the mines had been criticised, but his Labour friends would give him credit* for attempting to do the best in the interests of the coal and gold mining industries. Labour members; Hear, hear. Mr Mac Donald said he was not prepared to say that the miners had ideal conditions, but slowly, yet surely, better conditions and wages had been gained., and the Bill prepared under r.is instructions went a long step towards nationalisation. In the conference a few months ago the Government, though not prepared to concede all the miners' demands, were prepared to grant minors a share in the control and also proposed a superannuation and insurance against sickness scheme. Ono of iho main principles enunciated in the Coal Mining Bill was that in future private individuals should not exploit the public and tho State in the shapa of high coal royalties by being allowed to hold leases without working them. Under the Bill all coal leases wouid have to be surrendered except such jus owners were able to work immediately. Coal mining was a precarious business, and the owners, rather than be pat under harassing restrictions, would agree to nationalisation. Too many people handled the coal, but if one concern did all the work it would materially reduce expenses. Ho hoped that some solution of the present difficulties would be secured of a permajioat character.