BRITISH COAL TRADE.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1926, Page 3

BRITISH COAL TRADE.

REORGANISATION FLANS

NATIONALISATION' INVOLVED

(Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.

LONDON. Jan. I 1

Far-reaching plans for the reorganisation iintl development of the mining industry and the creation of a national power and transport system, prepared by a joint committee representing tilts whole Labour movement ■was submitted to tins Coal Commissioner. It involves the nationalisation of the mineral collieries and transformation of the industry from coal extracting to a coal utilizing industry, manufacturing electricity on a large scale and dealng with numerous bye-products, also the • formation of a power and transport commission representing all interests, including workers and consumers, to co-ordinate their efforts throughout the country. Thkr proposals which include complete details, provide for the cx-p.ro-printion of the present owners’ interests by means of stock issued to each vendor, for an amount on tlio basis of the present market price of the holdings, while capital expenditure will he provided by a .special coal development loan, redeemable at a fixed date.

A PROFESSOR'S EVIDENCE. LONDON, January, 14. Professor E. H. Tawney, a lending l abourite and economist, who explained the miners proposal to the' Coni Commission, expressed the opinion that the export of coal, at present, is not effectively organised, exposing the industry to less favourable conditions thn* if there were one single export system.

Questioned regarding the proposals for the regulation of wages, Professor Tawney said he did not suggest any system of eompulsory arbitration. The miners suggested there should he bargaining between, the representatives of the producers and the consumers and if they disagreed the matter would go to an independent tribunal.

Professor Tawney said the State would have a monopoly of the Home trade under nationalisation. He agreed that if the industry under nationalisation had to pay its way without a subsidy, three alternatives must be contemplated, namely, a reduction of wages, the lengthening of hours or the contraction of industry. He said the miners maintained the right to withhold their labour under nationalisation. Cross-examined Professor Tawney said tlie proposals in the memoranda had not been submitted to a ballot of miners.