NATIONALISATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 5

NATIONALISATION

THE DANGER OF "-THE POLITICAL PULL." "Quito a popular cry at the present time in New Zealand, (says tho annual report of tho New Zealand Employers Federation) is 'Nationalisation.' There are advocates of the nationalisation of coal mines, steamer services, flqurmills, insurance companies, etc., and it seems almost certain that Parliament itself would adopt proposals for son.othing in the nature of .the nationalisation of inanv of our industries and trading concerns if opportunity offered. Labour advocates and some of our politicians are prepared to create a Stato monopoly in almost any calling. The former, becauso they recognise it as a steppingstono to union control, the latter because, ns tho result of tho abnormal times through which we are passing, are of opinion it would win votes at tho forthcoming election. "The nucstion io be considered is whether tlie personal desires of the classes mentioned aro to be tho determining factors, or if the best interests of the country generally are to havo first consideration. To both the labour representative and the politician the 'political pull' is it great attraction. Given nationalisation of important trades and industries the political views of workers .■>. ml the reward of servico to party would' often have more to do with the right t« work than would industry, energy, and ability. "The suppc- ei's of nationalisation of thn coal minei of the Dominion give as their principal reason that labour troubles will by that means be reduced to a minimum. The experience in the Victorian State coal mine is thnt there is more or less constant friction with tho workers, with frequent strikes and ston-work meetings. In New Zealand tho Board of Trade report indicates thnt there has been at as much industrial trouble in the State mines as in the other mines of the Dominion.

"Those engaged in the traoes and industries' of the Dominion should seriously consider the position before advocating State monopoly of any kind, ns having secured the nationalisation of one industry, it is difficult to say which will be the ne.tt to be so effected. "Tlie question of nationalisation of rani mines wns recently considered by the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, whose findings are summarised ns follow:— 1 II: would result in less efficient exploitation of our coil resources, aw: deprive the State of tho benefits of competition. 2. The lack of initiative and enterprise in a State Department would delay the adoption of better methods. 3. The cost of production would be greatly increased. / 1. The ex|»rt tra''o would bo seriously affected, and' the national .interests would suffer. 5. Tho coal miners would be no butter and probably be worse off. 6. State ownership could not eliminate industrial unrest. 7. It would be disastrous for tho control of the coal mines of the country to be under the direct influence of party politicians, as they would be if they were nationalised. Altogether, in . view of the few advantages nnd the certainty of tho evils which follow the nationalisation of our industries, it is advisable that this federation should declare definitely against its adoption."