COAL PROBLEM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20042, 3 September 1920, Page 8

COAL PROBLEM.

PREMIER AS PEACEMAKER. <? , [From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON. September 2. I have taken over the Mines Department go as to get inside knowledge of the mining business,” said the Prime Minister at the end of a discussion of a y er y general character which followed the presentation of the State coalmines report. .Mr Massev went on to say it was quite evident there was something seriously wrong in the coal industry. Ho aid not know whether he could put it right, but ho would try. There had been far too many disputes altogether. He would admit right away that the minors worked under difficult and dangerous conditions, and they ought to be well paid. He knew they still. had grievances, and lie was glad to he able to say that he had \effectod some improvements. ' He had hoped that in,creasmg pay would have brought about an increasing output, but he had been disappointed, though he had not given up hope. There were, however, too many pinpricks, such as the case where miners were threatening to strike this week unless two blacksmiths at the mine contributed to the Broken Hill relief fund. Such an unfair attitude made people very dissatisfied with the | position. Ho suggested in all friendliness that the miners’ leaders should remember that they were citizens of New Zealand, and that they should endeavour to make things better instead of worse. Dealing with points raised in thb course of debate, Mr Massey mentioned that during the last ton years the number of miners had been reduced by 600. He was glad to hear that miners were getting back to the mines from the wharves, where thev had sought employment. A good deal was being done to open up new coalfields, but it was not new mines, but more miners, which was the trouble The Government had acquired an area near Huntly for a State mine, and a piece of railway would have to be built before it could be developed, During the last six months between 200 and 300 coni miners had com© to New' Zealand as immigrants, hut they were insufficient to affect the output- , Mr Holland: "What about mv Broken Hill offer ? Mr Massey; You did not back it up, and after what has happened at Broken Hill I am rather doubtful about it. The Prime Minister went on to,say that the Government wished to encourage coal mining, and it would introduce legislation this session to remedy some grievances. It was proposed to give the Public Health Department power to interfere where sanitation of mines was concerned, and he thought it ought to bo possible to authorise qualified quartz miners to work in coal mines. lie did not know whether tlio State*Coni Department could keep down the price of coal much longer. Its mining operations showed a small profit, but it was making a serious loss on the retail depots. There had been difficulties in the way of giving effect to the proposal /that miners should have representation on the Board of Control of the- State mines, aud probably it would be necessary to pass amending legislation to secure this. He was not in favour of nationalisation of all coal mines. Experience so far had not been encouraging, and another reason was that it was not good for the State to have too large a proportion of the,people in its employ. It was not conducive to good government, though he was not against this policy where the railways were concerned.