THE STATE STRIKERS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 679, 2 December 1909, Page 6

THE STATE STRIKERS.

The statement presented to the House of by the Prime Minister last evening concerning the: strike of miners employed at the State coalmine was an interesting one as disclosing the position. The fact that the mine has made iio profit for the past six months,, and has no immediate prospects of doing so, coupled' with the further fact that the men "working" in the State mine are better off than those engaged in private mines, should in themselves bs sufficient to convince the Government as to the proper course of action to be pursued. Admittedly it will cost £4000 a year to grant the'eoncession askedi by the miners, and this! money 'must either come out of tho- pockets of taxpayers or. the price of coal,must bo raised 'and the consumer pay the extra money: It must,bo obvious that it would be a grave injustice to the private employer for the S.tato. to pay a rate of wage that neccssitates:'the carrying on'of.tho industry at a loss,;, and make up. that loss out of tho pockets of' the taxpayers.' \ A standard of wage would thus be set which would make it impossible for the private companies to work their mines profitably, unless .indeed a t material advance was made, in the.price of coal., Such advance would not only penalise the whole community as private <.-nsumers of coal, but would be a serious handicap'to those', industries of the country which ;are dependent upon coal; for power or lighting. Indeed, the situation does not: appear to leave any room- for. doubt.? If, as, stated, the State coalrainers are better off than other;miners,> and their earnings—fourteen shillings per day of seven hours—would seom to indicate that they.,are at least reasonably paid, the .Government, should .not hesi-. tate;in the matter at all.-. If an offer to submit the dispute' to arbitration is rejected by the miners—and for .ourselves wo consider it a great, concession; that such an oftersh'ould bo made, seeing that the men cancelled their registration under the Conciliation, and Arbitration Act— the Government should tako immediate steps to- secure fresh, men, to .work- the mine. .Further delay -will only' be taken aR evidence of ; weakness... Already,:' we fear, the impression has..gainod, ground tKat the Government dare' not go to "extremes.' -In Australia defiance of the law by the,strikers is arousing strong public antagonism,: and the Wade Government appears determined; to enforco the. penal clauses of the law at ■: all hazards. : its' policy' of .facing a difficult .situation boldly already'shows signs of bringing both, sides to the* dispute to their senses. The Government jieroiwill also-find that its best : policy is courage and a; strict insistence on the observance of law and order: 'All • will; sincerely '; hope; that' it will- not' bo necessary to go-to extremes, but should that necessity arrivb the Gov- . ernment must dp its duty without': faltering. -,:?.-. -,--.,. V- '.'; }' ■:'.'.-'■'.■'.:' : ';.;V