NATIONALISATION OF MINES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 15, 13 October 1919, Page 5

NATIONALISATION OF MINES

REASONS FOR GOVERNMENT'S

REJECTION

STATEMENT BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE Bv Telegraph—Presa Association—Copyright. (Rec. October 12, 5.5 p.m.) London, October 10. '£he ofljeial report of the deputation from the Trade Union Congress which waited on Mr.. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar .Law, states that Messrs. Stuart, Bu.nning, Brace, Hodge, and Smillie stated Labour's views. Mr. Smillie said the miners 'claimed nationalisation primarily on the ground of safety. They were convinced they could reduce the number of accidents in tiie mines, which were largely unsafe because they were worked for private profit. Nationalisation would also improve the output. Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said the Government had rejected the proposal after the most mature reflection. • Such an experiment had never been tried on a •liig s.calo .in any part of the world. It was a great ecbnomic question, affecting the. whole industrial life of the nation,' and also' a great political issue, therefore tho whole nation must decide. The machinery existed by which the nation could express its will. In such a vital matter no Government would accept the opinion of a commission in preference (o its own judgment. Mr. Lloyd George re marked: "You Labour .men are looking forward to the prospect of assuming the Government yourselves. In that event believe me, you would never adopt the attitude that you were bound to accept the verdict of a commission to force a sweeping change upon the country. 1 havo no wish to create bitterness by referring to regrettable episodes in tho most dangerous labour, crisis during the past three weeks, which deeply impressed the public 'memory. There was never_ a more inopportune moment for Dressing' nationalisation than the present." Mr. Smillie: It is most opportune. Mr. Lloyd George: "The nation must, decide according to its own conscience. Nationalisation would not save expenses in wages—tlio experiment in State .control of the railways had increased the expenses enormously—and it was doubtful whether the output would increase," Mr. Lloyd George stated .that he 'was unaware of any case where men worked better for the State than for a 'private employer. The output of tho national workshops generally-compared verv unfavourably with that of private yards. The output of the American 1 mines had increased enormously during recent years, the output per man increasingly . rapidly. '

Mr. Smillie: Because of the enormous introduction of machinery. Mr. Lloyd George said that nationalisation would be risky and highly speculative. The mines should lie worked for the benefit of the whole nation. Therefore the Government proposed, that minerals should be nationalised, nnd afo proposed to.unify industry by districts, agreeing with Mr. Justice Sankev that unification produced efficiencv and economy and increased output. The Government proposed to introduce forthwith a Bill providing that deduction from royalties should be spent in improving miners' houses. Future conditions will enable miners for the first time to have an effective voice in the questions of health and safety.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.