NATIONALIZATION OF COAL INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 6

NATIONALIZATION OF COAL INDUSTRY

Issue In Australia

(Bv Telegraph.—Press Assu.—Copyright.) ‘{Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY. October 14. Two million tons of coal have been lost this year in New South. Wales as a result of absenteeism and strikes, according to a statement by the Prime Minister, Mr. Curtin. In the past.nine months Australia has been deprived of the equivalent of one-sixth of the Commonwealth s annual pre-war production. The .1 rime Minister also declared that more than Jt) per cent, of the economic disturbance to Australia’s conduct, of the war; occurred iu New South AVaies.' Political correspondents report that at a meeting of the Labour caucus in Canberra several members advocated, the nationalization of Australia’s coal industry. Alternatively, some form of Government or other national control of mines for the duration of the war was suggested. This statement of opinion is opposed to the Prime Minister’s policy, because on Monday Mr. Curtin said that the Federal Government had no intention of nationalizing the coal industry or taking control of it during the war. The caucus meeting was told that the Government had been advised that it would have to reduce coal consumption by 30.000 tons a week_This would be done by reducing railway services to save 32.500 tons a week, reducing factory consumption to save a similar amount, and imposing rationing on domestic power and light services to save 5000 tons a Denying that he had “dragooned” the miners or had sought to impose political dictates on management, Mr.. Curtin said: “I regard the coal miner’s life as rotten, and his conditions as deplorable. I know that for decades miners have had to fight for everything that has been done for them. I am conscious of the legacy ot suspicion and animosity associated with this industry. But at present both miners and owners should accept a trusteeship in service to the nation at a time when it is struggling for survival.”