International Miners' Congress.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 2, Issue 35, 3 November 1911, Page 14

International Miners' Congress.

The 22nd International Miners' Congress AAias held at the Westminster Palace Hotel, London, early in August. Of the four or five international miners' congresses held in London, the one that came to a close last Friday morning may aa-cII be considered to have been the most successful. The international miners' movement is visibly groAving in strength. This must be chiefly due to the groAvth of various national movements. True, the state of the. miners' organisations in most countries still leaves much to be-desired. In Great Britain alone miners seem to- have achieved the notable feat of getting all the underground workers into the union. In Germany, Avhere about 240,-. 000 miners out of a possible 650,000 are organised, clerical influences are still proving a great obstacle- in the path of development. The same may be said of Holland, where the mining industry expands from year to year. France and Belgium seem to labor under the difficulty of coiiA'incing the Avorker that regular subscriptions are , necessary for keeping up trade unionism. Austria is feeling the baneful effects of Nationalist agitation. But, on the whole,_ the moA'cment is progressing in every country, and consolidating its forces. The subjects on the agenda indicate that, two ideas are prcA'alent ivith regard to the functions of international miners' congresses. • Some seem to regard the annual congress only as an educational means, others seem to lay more stress on international action. The Aveakcr nations favour the latter idea, and sometimes complain about the apparent sterility of the proceedings. The Belgian and Franch miners, for instance, Avould greatlj' like/ to see the output of coal regulated internationally by-fixed abstentions from Avork. Hoav this is to he accomplished is one of the great problems. France and Belgium, and Austria, too, arc in the un-em-iable position that, as soon as they strike. British and German coal is introduced to swamp their natural markets. Theoretically, the problem scorns to be easy of solution, .yet in practicemost formidable obstacles present themselves. Among these there are the imperfect state of organisation in most countries, tlie export- trade, which is the only trade- done by some district:., etc. Under prevailing circumstances there is little doubt that international action will for some years at least be restricted to giving moral and financial support .to a national miners' organisation in difficulties. On the other hand, the educational influence of the International Miners' Congress is, and has been, very powerful. Tho bringing together of miners' representatives from various countries undoubtedly tends to broaden the outlook, and to increase the knowledge of these leaders. The progress made in one country thus stimulates the Acinous national nun--oments. Take, for instance, the institution of Avorking-men inspectors Avhich lias sloAvly been Avorked out by the French miners. In France the miners elect mine inspectors from among their comrades. There, working-men inspectors are paid by the State with money provided by tho mineowner... The beneficial effect of this i'U■stitution is admitted by all, and will increase with the greater technical knowledge of those -practical men, Avho aie. noAv freo tq follow their studies. The iniue-workera thua . acquire an

ever-growing control over the management of the mine, tho great importance of Avhich. need scarcely be pointed out. ■At the present time movements for the introduction of working-men inspectors are on foot in every mining country, thanks to the influence of the International Miners' Congress. Another example is furnished, by the question of limiting the age at Avhich boys can go doAvn to work, in a mine. In' Germany the miners, gui.ed by * Socialist teaching, haA'e succeeded in legally fixing the age at which employment underground can be taken up at 16 years. Great Britain and France have" been rather backivard in this respect. 'This year's International Miners' Congress shoAved, however, that the constantly reiterated demand of the German, Austrian, and Belgian miners, that all countries' should'fall in line Avith them on this-question, is on the point of "meeting Avith success, at least, as far as this country is concerned. International action Avill conic in time, no doubt ; but it appears to the onlooker that a great deal of national spadeAvork remains yet to be done before the various units of the nvi.i.ers of tlie .world are strong and disciplined -enough to • organise an. international stoppage.-r I - "Justice." ■ .- • * - . •