Wairarapa Daily Times [Established 45 Years] TUESDAY JUNE 15, 1920. NATIONALISATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14143, 15 June 1920, Page 4

Wairarapa Daily Times [Established 45 Years] TUESDAY JUNE 15, 1920. NATIONALISATION.

The greatest satisfaction was l'e.lt by the public at Home at the decisive!: vote recorded at the Special Trades Union 'Congress. againVt direct action on the question of the nationalisation ot the mines. It would appear, tlierefove, that there was some reason to fear that the vote might have favoured a general strike in order to force the Government to take stops lo carry out a policy to which it had declared itself opposed. The most tlia-t could possibly have been accomplished by direct action on that question would have been to have forced a general election, and, as Mr Thomas pointed out, the issue would have been made to appear to be whether or not. the British people were to yield to the coercion of a section. In the circuinstanc.es, direct action would have been very bad tactics, and as Trades Unionists generally are as hard-headed as any section of the community, the result was certain. Nevertheless, it appears from the two votes tnnt were taken that, although strongly opposed to direct action, the Congress was just about as strongly in favour of nationalisation of the mines, and the question will probably be made, by the Labour Party, at any rate, one of the issues at the next general election. The war has, it must be admitted, eaifsod a great change of view's on the subject of private property. Such a suggestion as the nationalisation of mines, railways and land would have been regarded as robbery and confiscation a few years ago. Now there are few who will venture to dispute that the State might, legitimately take over sucli classes of property, on payment of proper compensation, of course: the question is merely regarded*as one of expediency. As far as the mines arc concerned, the

principle of State control is admitted. The very existence of the State largely depends on the countrycoal supplies. During the war private enterprise wa« severely restricted in many directions, but in none more than in coal production and distribution, and conditions since peace was proclaimed have rather emphasised the vital importance of the nation’s coal supplies to the State. The Government has, therefore, decided to nationalise the mining royalties and to control the production and distrbutou of coal. The principle having been admitted, the complete nationalisation of the mines is quite a legitimate political proposition, the only question being that of expediency. On this opinions differ greatly, aiid the nationalism's do not by any means have all the arguments on their side. It is pointed out that nationalisation would mean management by Government departments, and the experience of the war has not indicated that that tends to efficiency. It is also pointed out that nationalisation would hinder enterprise, especially in the opening of new mines. In any case, the question is not one in which the miners alone are interested. All sections of the community are concerned, and all have the right to a voice in the decision. Therefore, it is one which should be settled according to the views of the whole community;