COAL AND MINING.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 January 1928, Page 1

COAL AND MINING.

(“ Lyttelton Times.”) The report that a group of Labour members of the’House of Commons lias presented to Mr Ramsay .MacDonald a new coal policy is a sign of tho times. It is stated that the proposals involve tbe definite abandonment of the nationalisation of the industry—hitherto the avowed goal of the Labour Party—and tbe substituion of State ownership of all coal resources, without control of the actual mining operations. Apparently the new policy is based on the report of the Samuel Commission, which reported against the nationalisation of the coal-roniing industry, but in favour of national ownership of coal (ownership of royalties) and a general administration of the industry by a commission. But, as was generally admitted when the report of the commission was made public, these proposals had been part and parcel of Liberal policy for some years. In 1920 Lord Oxford, speaking at Paisley, outlined that policy clearly, and the whole plan was given in detail in “Coal and Power,” a little volume issued by the Liberal Party to make known the findings of its committee of inquiry into the coal trade. Lord Oxford stated that there were 4000 owners of royalties, and that the capital value of their interests was about £70.000.000. The Liberals would purchase these interests with Treasury bonds, “chargeable on tbe revenue to bo derived by the State from royalties in the future, subject to a deduction of 10 per cent, which it was proposed to pay into a fund for tbe purpose of raising the standard of life and improving the social amenities of mining districts.” The Liberal leader added that mining royalties would he administered by a national body of Royal Commissioners, especillv qualified for such functions, and they would gradually secure the unification of the present mining companies.

It will be seen, in the cable published on AVednesday that the new Labour plan follows the Liberal policy. This development is not altogether a surprise, for there have been many indications of late that the nationalisation of the coal-mining industry has lost its appeal to a large section of the workers, and to a marked extent among the miners themselves. Tn the latest issue of the “Manchester Guardian ” is a brief report of the campaigning which the Liberal candidates for the Durham Division has been conducting very vigorously. The candidate stressed tlio fact that “it was perfectly obvious that the miners wore fast coining to the realisation that Socialism and the interests of workers were not synonymous.” The miners, lie found were displaying “ great keenness to hear expounded the Liberal policy, particularly in regard to the mining industry.’ Similar reports have come from South Wales and other parts of the country and probably this volte face on part of a section of the Labour members of Parliament is tbe outcome. The constructive policy of Liberalism is weaking tbe visionary advocacy of nationalisation. and the process lias reached the stage when many who formerly advocated complete State control of this basic industry now turn to the more practical course.

If the proposals should be adopted it will bo a. hitter blow for the earnest advocates of “Socialism in our time.” There will he a great gap in the nationisation platform, and it will have a tendency I<> grow wider. And the Lil>eral.sl can be relied upon to make it quite plain that the decision of the Labour Party is a victory for Liberalism. It certainly would he a triumph for the middle course, for the Conservatives would not give effect to the findings of the Samuel Commission, and the Labour Party would accept nothing short of complete .State control of the industry. It may ho that the decision to ho made by Air MacDonald's followers will he of immense political significance.