The Grey River Argus MONDAY, October 11, 1948. MINERS OFFERED SHARE IN MANAGEMENT

Grey River Argus, 11 October 1948, Page 4

The Grey River Argus MONDAY, October 11, 1948. MINERS OFFERED SHARE IN MANAGEMENT

g() few and far between have been the private employers willing to allow the rank and file of their workers any share in the management of industry that it remains doubtful if many such ' employers yet realise the wisdom and justice of that policy. In the case of our collieries it might i be conjectured that the utter ab- ■ sencc of such a policy has hastened the transfer of ownership to the State. Former holders of coal - bearing lands may nevertheless be interested in the relatively quick decision of the Government to undertake an experiment in this direction. The proposal which was, on Saturday placed before the Unions of Blackball and Boa by the Minister of Mines, lion. A. McLagan. that they consider with him the establishment of a Joint Committee of Management lor these two State collieries seis a notable precedent in the annals of the coal industry, not only for New Zealand, but for other coun- ’ tries as well. It is true that, following the entry of public enterprise into this industry here many years ago, there was another innovation in. the form of co-opera-tive parties, but the history of our privately owned mines has been characerised by almost, an absolute lack of opportunity or incentive for the operatives to promote production by the use 01. their experience and initiative. To enlist their ability in the sphere of management, however, must be calculated to spur their interest in the conduct of operations and in the results as measured by the coal outjß.it. ’The Minister remarked that lhe new departure is prompted not only by a belief that the miners are eager to co-operate in it, but that flic mines cannot be worked to the best advantage without such co-operation. It is a natural inference. The management of the industry, in one sense, has always depended largely on the miners. From their ranks have been recruited the experienced men who have directed the industry, and in their ranks are very many more whose experience qualities them io contribute greatly towards improving the conduct and conditions of the industry. The Government’s policy, admittedly, differs from that of private enterprise to the extent that the conditions of labour are by the State ranked equally as important as economy and output, whereas profit is the master motive of private enterprise. As one of the pioneering coal mining communities, who in the course of a history of about half a century have undergone many vicissitudes, the choice of the workers of the Blackball-Roa district should prove a very prudent one in launching this experiment. Under State auspices their consistent record has been such as to demonstrate their loyalty to the principle of public enterprise. They will in undertaking the proposition have undoubtedly to assume a definite responsibility, but at file same time they will have an opportunity to make history as well as to better their own lot. Success on the part of this projected Joint Management Committee would set a precedent for similar advancement upon other coalfields. With, all of the coal measures now coming under Government control, it is feasible to extend throughout the industry the policy which promises lhe best results. If it proves to be an organic one wherein those engaged feel that, as workers, they 'all. have a due say in the conduct of the industry, then the example of Blackball and Boa Unions may stand as the pattern of progress for the mines of the country generally.