BRITAIN'S COAL SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 7

BRITAIN'S COAL SUPPLY

♦ —: MR. JUSTICE SANKEY'S REPORT INTERESTING SYMPOSIUM OF VIEWS Mr. .Justice Sankey and (ho Commission on the Organisation and Control -pf the Coal Industry over whioh he presided -have issued their report. Two broad facts emerge from this summary (1) The chairman and every member of the Commission recommend that coal should bo nationalised, and there is n maiority of ten to three in support of the payment of fair compensation to tho dispossessed royalty owners. (2) The chairman and half the members of the Commission, n majority of seven to six, recommend the nationalisation of the collieries in 1922. and the reorganisation of the control of the industry, centrally, by districts, and locally, in ■ the meantime. ■ . Four Reports. The Commission. has handed in four reports;— ; (]) A report, signed only by the chairman (Hr. Justice SankeyVin .favour of the immediate acq.uisit.ion of coal royalties bv the State and the payment of "fair and just" compensation to tho owners: the acceptance of the principle of State ownership of the mines; and the immediate establishment of a.6cliemo foj* joint local administration in. prenaration for the enactment, of State ownership three years hence. (2) A brief report, signed by Mr. Robert Smillie. Mr. Herbert Smith, and Mr. ffrank Hodges (the miners' officials, and bv Mr. B. H. Tawney, Mr. Sidney Webb, and Sir Leo Chiozza Money (tho Socialist representatives), in which "substantial Agreement", is expressed with, the chairman's report, but exception is taken to its suggestions on several points, of detail. while the three miners' officials object to -the' payment of, compensation to mineral owners. ' . • (3) A report, signed by Sir Adam Nimmo, Mr. E. W. Cooper, and Mr. Evan Williams (the mineowners' representatives), and by Mr. A. Balfour and Sir Allan Smith (two of the three independent representatives of other industries). They are opposed to the nationalisation of the coal industry in any form, but they are in favour of the State ownership of the coal.. They recommend the establishment of a system of pit committees, district councils, and a national council for tho mining industry. (4) A report sipined only by Sir Arthur " Duckham (the third independent representative of other industries), also in favour of the Sta'te ownership of mineral rights, but against the national ownership of mines. He puts forward a scheme of his own for the amalgamation of colliery interests.. in tho . several districts in the form of statutory companies - ' . „ The "Times" thus summarises the main points in tho several reports,'which printed in full occupy nearly two whole pages of the "Times." • "\ I ■ State Purchase of Royalties. "Chairman's Eoport—Coal is our principal national asset, and 'a wasting one. Tho separate ownership of royalties by nearly. 4000 .firms or individuals, and the consequent maintenance of 'barriers' and want [of cooperation in drainage, in-volve-waste of coal and unnecessary expenditure in getting coal. "The value of each royalty should be assessed 'by Government valuers, with an appeal to a, specially constituted tribunal. Valuers should ignoro _ underground' wayleaves and • properties in which the existence of coal ig uncertain but suspected. A total maximum sum might be fixed as a 'pool' to bo allocated between the various owners. , "The State, ownership. of minerals ehonld 'be exercised through a Minister of Mines. "Miners' -Report.—The throe miners, while objecting to tho payment of compensation for mineral rights, do not object to tho grant of compassionate allowances: in the easo of small royalty Owner.? deprived-of their, means of livelihood. , ■ ■■ . ■ "Mine Owners and Independent Memliers' Report.—There is a radical difference between tho State ownership of coal and the conduct by the State of tho coal industry. Coal . should be vested in'flic ■State, subject to existing lenses of tenancies, the general basis of compensation being .15 years' purchase of the amount received by the owners for coal rents and royalties on the average of the last live pre-war years, less mineral right? duty. "Sir A. Dnekham's Report.—The private ownership of minerals is not in tho best interests of the community. All mineral rights should be acquired iby the State and controlled by a Minister of Mines. • - State Ownership of Mines. "Chairman's Report.—Coal mining is our national l>ey industry, and occupies a unique'place in our national life. There are 3000 pits owned by about 1500 companies or individuals. Unification under State ownership will lead to economy through standardisation of materials and appliances. Tho relationship | between masters and workmen in most coalfields is such that it seems- impossible! to invprovo it under the present system. "The Statu should buy the t'ollieries at a fair value. A local mining council i representative of the workers and tho management should bo set up jxt each | mine to deal;with questions of safety and health and local questions. District mining councils, appointed, for H districts into which Great Britain should be' divided, and including representatives I of tho consumers, should make arrangements with local authorities, or rather agencies, for tho sale, distribution, and export of coal. They should fix the pithead price, and also tho maximum selling prico for household and''industrial consumption. A National Mining Council, wiili a Standing Committee, should bo eiocled by the district councils to advise tho Minister of Mines on questions connected with tho operation and management, of the industry. "Contract*) of employment should provide that no workman shall strike (1) in any local dispute, unless the question lia.s been before the Local Mining Council arid tho District. Council, and they have faiied to fictile it; (2) in any district dispute, unless t.lio District Council and tho National Council have failed to settle it; and (H) in a. national dispute, unless the.National Mining Council has failed to effect a settlement. "Miners' 'Deport.—Thero should bo fuller representation of tho workers than tho chairman suggests on tho District and National Councils. While tho importance..of provputing unnecessary stoppages is recognised, some suspicion , is expressed of the proposal to restrict ■ tho miners-" right to strike until tho councils liayo failed to settle any dispute. The Falling Output. "Mine Owners' and Independent Members' Report.—'There is no reasonable ground for ..believing that tho industry could or would bo as efficiently conducted by the State as by privato, enterprise, or that, nationalisation would reduce tho price of ,coal. No foundation exists lor tho assertion that, the antagonism which is 'alleged' to exist between employers and workers could lie overcome by nationalisation. Tho owners are prepared ■ t;o incrcaso tlio facilities lor enabling the workpeople to acquire a. greater knowledge of and interest <in the industry. "Sir A. Dnekham's Deport.—The nationalisation of- the -coal-mining industry wouldy be an unprecedented and colossal experiment.-. A. mistake would Tesult in a national calamity. "The question of output, is uj VM . a prominent place in the first three reports. Tho views expressed may bo summarised as follows:— ! "Chairman.—Tho-success of tho industry depends on productivity.' The alarming fall in output'-has convinced mo that every one is not doing his best. I cannot say whether this is the fault of (he management or of the workers: I believe that tho workers can and' will maintain an output of 250,000,000 lons a year at the least. I rely on tho honour of the men's leaders and of the men and of all others concerned to achieve this result.. Jf the output per man continues to go down, tho.supremacy of this country is in danger. "Miners.—While we recognise- with regret that the output has not yet satisfactorily recovered from the adverse circumstances which depressed it during the

7 war, no ovidence has been produced to show that, the men aro refraining from doing their best. "Mine Owners and Independent Miners—Tho present economic position of tho industry cannot continue. There must bo a large increase in tho output, and o. decroaeo in the cost, of production, , end tho price to tho consumer must be raised. The causes which have 'contributed to iho fall in output should bo Hit) subject of immediate and compile Investigation."