The Dominion. MONDAY, JULY 19, 1915. COAL SUPPLY IN WAR TIME

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2517, 19 July 1915, Page 4

The Dominion. MONDAY, JULY 19, 1915. COAL SUPPLY IN WAR TIME

The newspapers which arrived by last week's English mail contain articles whioh throw a good deal of additional light upon the coal crisis which is just now receiving the attention of tho British Government. Tho "three main points discussed are tho rates of wages,' the control of the mines, and the fixing of prices. Tue general, problem of coal supply in war time is dealt with in the report of a Departmental Committee-, published on Juno 9 ; It is hardly necessary to emphasise the vital importance of the situation which has arisen or to point out the urgent need, of a prompt settlement which will relieve the Government and nation of any further anxiety regarding the coal supply until the war is over. It appears that some of the men think that, unless pricesare fixed at once, the proprietors will ma-ko such large profits they will be able to close down the pits for an indefinite period i after the termination of tho war, and be in a position to imposo their own terms on the men. The facts available give very littlo support to this view. It is far more probable that the Socialist section of 'the miners are anxious to tako advantage of the national danger in order to force the Government to assume direct control .of the whole industry. It is quite true that there has been a considerable increase in the price of coal, but the mine-owners contend that it has been fully coun-ter-balanced by additional cost of materials, higher rates of wages, and reduction in output. A representative of one of the largest colliery undertakings in Lancashire states that before the war bonus was granted to the miners the only alteration in the price of house coal made since August by Lancashire coal-owners was an increase of tenpence a ton on February 1. Tho war bonus raised wages 15J- per cent, above the rates then being paid, and brought them to 26 per cent, above the 1911 basis. The increase of 3s. 4d. per ton made in June would soon be swallowed up by tho extra costs. The authority quoted declares that, taking the trade altogether, the _ mine-owners would like to get back to the conditions of July, 1914. The Manchester Guardian pointed out that the advance in wages would amount to 25 per'cent, on the 1838 rates. Commenting on this, tho president of tho Lancashire and Cheshire Miners' Federation states that the'total increase in price of 4s. 2d.'would entitle the men, according to the rules of the Conciliation Board, to an advance of from 40 to 45 per cent., instead of 25 per cent., on the 1888 rates. He contends that the employers are increasing the price of coal by more than double tho amount necessitated by the advance in wages. The questions involved in the South' Wales dispute aro probably _ very muoh the same as those -which, are being discussed in Manchester. There is not tho slightest reason why they should not ho settled, by some impartial tribunal which will see that justice is done to both sides. To stop work at suoh a time as the present for such a cause, is so manifestly and recklessly wronfr that, as a memberof tho South Wales Executive remarks, tho strikers will have the whole world against theni, except Germany, Austria, and Turkey. The report of the Departmental Committee appointed to consider matters relating to the of coal in war time lays stress on the plain duty of all concerned to avoid suoh troubles as that which occurred in South Wales. ' The report says: The basis of all tho proposals and suggestions made by the Committee is harmonious co-operation between employers and employed through tho medium of Hie organisations on both sides thoroughly representative of the' parties. Unless tho organisations' possess this power and are able to act witli authority for both owners nnd workmen friction may arise and stoppages of work tako .place which ought to bo avoided at the present time to the utmost extent possible. In the highest interests of the nation it is especially desirable that during tho period of the war tho employers should cooperate with the representatives of tho workmen on eucli questions as 11011nnionism or oilier questions likely to lead to any friction or stoppage during the present unprecedented ciruumstumx.'., ,Qwiu« the fact that thousands

of miners have gone to the front there has been a considerable fallingoff in tho coal output. The Committee state that if the recruiting of miners is continued the output will bo so reduced as seriously to affect the country's industrial position. This emphasises the necessity for more thorough organisation of the nation's industrial resources in order that every man should be placed where hs can do the best work for the-State. For instance, it would bo folly to send ammunition makers into the, firing line, and it is necessary to retain a'sufficient number of miners to maintain tho coal supply for the munition factories and the Navy and for general use. The miners make firstclass soldiers, and they have responded enthusiastically to Lord Kitcherek's call for men. At the end of July, 1914, there were 999,424 persons on the books of the coalmining industry, and up to tho end of February, 1915, no fewer than 184,659, or 18.5 per cent., of these had joined the forces. This means that 40 per cent, of the miners of the age most physically fit have enlisted. , On tie other hand over 50,000 pel-sons have been drafted into the mines, which brings the deficiency down to 13a pel- cent. The Committee estimates that the annual production will be reduced by 36,000,000 tons unless -means can be devised to increase the output. This reduction may not mean an actual shortage of the quantity mentioned, as, owing to the closing of certain markets, fully 18,000,000 tons will be retained in tho_ country, which would be exported in normal times to the following countries: — Tons. Russia 5,998,431 Germany 8,952,328 Belgium 2,031,077 Austria-Hungary ..' 1,056,631 Turkey 309,789 The Committee are of opinion that nearly 14,000,000 additional tons could bo recovered if all avoidable absenteeism ceased; that is to say, if all miners who, are able to do so were on duty every- day the _ pits work. ■ As regards the restriction of exports to neutral countries, the report states that suck restriction should not affect;

1. The coal required for the British mercantile marine;

2. The coal supplied to the British Allies or to such other countries as the Government may determine; 3. Coal which is sent abroad to the extent essential to secure return cargoes necessary to this country—e.g., grain from the Argentine, iron ore from Bilbao, etc. The coal supply problem ■ provides a test to the practical patriotism of the whole country. The public has its duty to do in the matter as well as tho . miners. Its business is to avoid waste. The rise in price will no doubt', as the report points out, 'create a tendency' towards economy, but a considerable further saving could probably be effected "if it wore brought' home to the public that it is a patriotic duty to economise coal during tho period of the war." To deliberately lessen tho output by a strike is such an astonishing ' exhibition' of reckless irresponsibility that one can hardly believe that the present' stoppage will ba allowed to continue for any length of time. One would' have thought that the fact that no fewer than 220,000 miners are serving in the Army and Navy w : ould have made a miners', strike a, sheer impossibility. The very lives of their own comrades at tho front will be jeopardised if l ,an adequate coal supply is not maintained.