STATE OWNERSHIP OF COAL MINES

Chronicle (Levin), 15 October 1946, Page 2

STATE OWNERSHIP OF COAL MINES

—Press Assdkiatioii

MINISTER GIVES REASONS *'

By Telegrayh-

WESTPORT, Oct. lL Aiiticipating many questions on 'the Government 's cxpressed • intenfcion to nationalise the coal mines, tlve Minister of Lands (Mr. Skimier), who this wcek opens his cainpaign for the Buller" sea't, inade a statement today putting beyond, doubt his views on this liotiy debated question, which is quite likely to become a major election issue. Mr. Skinner said he believed tliat the modern eeonomics of niining niade it impossible for other than the Statc to participate in the undertaking on anything like a large scale. If the workers were to enjoy the conditiQns and wages to which they were entitled for employment of the lcind, the industry could not survive without assistance'. If the State were called upon to assist linancially by way of subsidy,-' then it was better for the State to d.o the whole job. Mr. Skinner emphasised that he was reforring to deep-seam niining and not to open-cast niining, which could stand on its own feet. Reason For State Entry. ' ' If the future development of . coal niining is to be on a prolit-making basis, then we shall only lind that we have repeated the mistakes of the past," eontinued the Minister. "The necessity to make dividends for shareholdefs will mean that only the niost accessible coal will be taken and thousands of tons will be left because to mine it would not be» an economic proposition. That is the main reason why, with the eontinued depletion of our mines, the State would be quite justified in entering the mining industry on a big scale. it would at least ensure that all coal capable of extraction would be extracted, which is a very important aspect of the question." Developing the theme of the form of control under nationalisation, thc Minister said that the . undertaking would not reach full efliciency and achieve the desired result unless it were possible to evolve a scheme in which the worlcers. tliemselves would have a greater degree of responsibility aud a greater share in tlic management. Sueli a scheme would make it a truly co-operative efEort -and it was essential that there should be worker representation on the directorate or board of management — ' '• Call it what you will,'' said the -Minister. It was not only that the management would then have the advantage of the practical experience of such men, but also they would be men who enjoyed .the cqniidence of worlcers, thus a clash« of ' \voVlcer-empioyer4 ihfdrd&t's,1 wliicirfh'igllt even be apparent with the State as emplover, would be climinated. "This is a question that applies -not only to coal mining but also to all other fornis of essential industry as well," added Mr. Skinner. "Only by true co-operative ownership will we be able to overcome many of the industrial problems facing the world today."