GOAL COMMISSION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10292, 29 May 1919, Page 5

GOAL COMMISSION

FUTILITY OF STATE..OWNER? SHIP AS MEANS OF PREVENTING STRIKES. ~ v By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian ' arid N.Z.'' Cable' AcsociatioVi. " LONDON, ‘May Hi. Sir Charles Wade (Agent-General for New South Wales), in giving evidence before the Coal Commission, said that the Rdilway Board of New South Wales had reduced the dangers of State ownership of railways to a minimum. The Labour Government of New South Wales never attempted to nationalise coal, despite the miners’ demand. He was certain, that State ownership would never stop strikes. This was proved iu the Victorian coal-mines, the Now South Wales railways and tramways, the Commonwealth shipbuilding yards, and tlio New Zealand coal-mines. There was no stimulus to economy or tho reduction of excessive staffs. State ownership encourages bureaucracy in the desire to avoid responsibility, and encourages laziness among the miners. All coal after leaving the pithead should be controlled, but that could bo accomplished without nationalisation of ,t!ie whole industry. The miners should be represented in a tribunal for; fixing wages and conditions of labour, but it would he dangerous to discipline if they shared the management with the miner.