RATIONALISATION OF MINES

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1654, 22 January 1913, Page 7

RATIONALISATION OF MINES

' BRITISH LABOUR PROJECT. tar Tslosrxph-Press Auioolaflon— Copyright London, January 20. Mr. Keir Hardio, M.P., speaking at Merthyr Tydvil, said that, in conjunction with the Miners' Federation,'the Labour Party would shortly embark on a strong fcgitation to nationalise the mines. The Miners' Federation at its.confertenco in October last approved >of a draft of'a Bill for the ', nationalisation of coal--1 mines. The Bill provided for tho appointment of a Minister of Mines. Then followed two important clauses as to tho transference of the mines and their purchase by tho State;— Clause 2: On and after the appointed day every colliery and coal-mine, whether In actual work or discontinued or exhausted or abandoned, and every shaft, pit, level, or inclined place in course of being made or driven for commencing or opening any such colliery or,'coal-mine, Including every patent fuel plant, coko oven, coal washery, railway rolling stock, and all other works belonging to or connectedl with such colliery or coal-mine, and every house belonging to tho owners of any such colliery or coal-mine' which is occupied by workmen at such coal-mine, should 'bo vested in and held by tho Ministor for Mines in his corporate capacity and his successors. > Clauso 3: Tho Minister for Mines shall purchase tho coal-mines of tho United Kingdom (other than those which are the properly of the Crown at the time of tho passing of this Act) at the price and in I the mannor provided by this Act, provided always that, tho valub of any minerals or right to work minerals or , mineral waylcavo other than a surface wayleavo shall not into account in computing such price, for all of which no compensation shall be paid. Clauso i provides for tho appointment of Minos Commissioners for tho purpose of assessing the purcha.so price of coalmines, ■;■ The chairman of: the commiwion Is to bo appointed by tho Ifing. Three of the eaid Commissioners shall bo nominated by the Minim* Association of Great Britain, three shall be nominated by tho Miners' Federation of Great Britain, and two by the Trade, Unions Congress. v Clause3 5 and 0 provide for tho valuaiaon of coal-mines and the ascertainment of purchase. The equipment and machinery is to bo purchased by valuation. Thero is to be a maximum purchase price on the following basis':— When, 100,000 tons or loss have been "raised per annum, 123. per ton; when more than 100,000 tons hare been raised, 10s. per ton. Clause 7 provides for the payment of tho purchase price in guaranteed Three per Cent. Coal Mine Stock. '