BRITISH MINERS YET TO BE CONVINCED

Chronicle (Levin), 14 August 1947, Page 5

BRITISH MINERS YET TO BE CONVINCED

^ Received VVedimsday, 7 p.m. LUNDON, August 13. In a raview of the position in Pri tain's coal mines, on- which the Govenv uient is relying for the restoration oi he balance" of national economy, Thc rinies's labour correspondent refers to Ihe continuing seepticism of thc miners. "The pits ar.e now public propert^ but the will to vvork for the eommunitv rather than for private prolit, has little effect expect on a politieully consciou uinoritv," he savs. "The anxiety tc eooperate of this minority, including a. it does most of the local union leaders, is of great importance but it is mu enough. The majority of miners don T ; e'o to union meetings and they rea>. , -,heir frapers and listen to appeals witu aiuch cvnicism. Tlrey t'rankly are uu iouvinced of the critical situation ii. which the country is placed. They prefer to trust, their own experienci •ather than vvhnt they read. If tljev. *.ake a day oif and go to a race meetiu0 ir some other l.iig sporting event, the.> .ree tens of tliousands of people who, to all appearance, have no responsibib ,ies and nionev to burn. Their own vajges are hig'h and so are the wages />. the others they meet. They see uj -jvidence anywiiere of a financia. u-isis. They do not see why they -ihould have to keep their noses to thc rrindstone while other people are t'rec ,o naijoy themselves. "lf these men eould be convinced. is they were. convinced of the couu ry's danger during the war, it vvoui-i nake a great diiference not only to ab i.enteeism but to other things as well, iucli as the employment of Poles. "How can an unpractical niiner b-o onvinced oi the eountry's danger? He is inclined to resent appeals from hii mion to wor'k regularly. He does no. hink that is vvhat unions are for. Hu u-obably will not be convinced until government action, particularly actiou .he results of which he can see for hani.elf. puls il beyond ^doubt that thc nuergency is being taken seriously b-. „he community as a wliole. "