STATE ENTERPRISES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 195, 13 May 1919, Page 5

STATE ENTERPRISES

9 MR. RYAN BEFORE BRITISH COAL COMMISSION. London, May G (delayed). Mr. Ryan, Premier of Queensland, was a witness before the Coal Commission. Ho eaid that State control in Queensland had been successful, enabling the workmen to get good wages, and the consumers to get commodities at reasonable prices. He believed that the nationalisation of public utilities generally benefited the public. There were many complaints in Queensland, he eaid,' against State enterprise, but they came only from persons interested in profit-making. Experience had shown that the workers give the same honest service in national, undertakings as for private employers. The greatest successes were seen where the workers were believers in nationalisation. The Queensland Government's action had prevented prices of meat from soaring— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. EARL OP DURHAM GIVES EVIDENCE (Hoc. May 13, 1.5 a.m.) London, May 7. The Ear) of Durham, giving evidence bofore the Coal Commission, said that ho owned 12,411 acres, which were leased to the collierv companies. Six thousand were bought within the last century, and four thousand between 1720 and 1820. The remainder was ancient land, owned by the Lambton family. Royalties, rents, and privileges yielded .£58,911 in 1913 and .£40,000 in 1918,-Au&-N.Z. Cable Assn. ■