THE STATE MINES.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 270, 27 April 1917, Page 4 (Supplement)

THE STATE MINES.

In connection with tho deadlock in, ihe coal mining industry, the "Press" calls special attention to the trouble -as it affects the State mines. The: •strike of the miners engaged in these mines calls, it says, for the careful consideration of all loyal citizens. It is true that tho strike has spread to •other mines, but as the " Press" says, there are reasons why the public are specially concerned in what may bo fairly termed the seditious outbreak -of the men engaged in the mines started and financed by tho State. These reasons are clearly set out: This particular form of State enterprise was started for two reasons. First of a'l it was said that the State could control tho production and distribution of .necessaries better and more cneaplv than by the co-operation of individuals. Secondly, we were told that it was an important step in the direction of industrial peace, so that the din of warfare between the worker and capitalist, would be no more heard in the land. Untortunately it has failed in both objects. If all the cost of the enterprise were charged in the same way tiiat the cost of production is charged to and by a private company, it would be seen xhat financially State coal mining is a failure. There should be charged to the expense of running the concern the time and trouble of the Ministerial supervision, cost of State letters and telegrams, and a due share of office rent in t.ie Wellington Government building. If these were all debited, if a loyalty had to bo paid, and if full depreciation, etc., were also charged, it •would be seen that if the enterprise were a private company, the shareholders would get no dividend, and tho company would hav,o to bo wound up. There has been no gam financially to the consumers. The retail price of coal is 'higher now than it has ever I>eeii in the history of the industry, but it can bo got as cheaply from coal merchants as from the State retail shops, having regard to the various differences of quality. Whether buying the product of the State mine or of a private mine, the consumer has to pay the increased wages which the miners have been drawing, and he lias also to pay for their •'go slow'' policy. If, as the "Press" .submits, there has been no gain financially from the State Coal Mines, has it- been shown that the State enterprise ■has brought industrial peace and contentment to the employees? The present strike gives an emphatic answer •to that question. It is not pretended that any dissatisfaction with wages, -conditions of labour, or hours, has led to the strike. It is, in fact, a civil war meant to force the Government to yield to Germany. It has not been proved that behind it, as there was said to be behind tlie I.W.W. agitation in America and Australia, there was German money, but that it is a movement agamst the people of New Zealand and of the Empire cannot be denied. What do the strikers aim at? They wish to see all industries that require coal crippled or stopped. They know that coal is necessary for our transports. for our railways, tor our varied -industries, and they wish to see these paralysed, one and all. !he. disloyalty of such a proceeding does not requre to be pointed out. IS'or is this the irst occasion on which disloyalty has spring from the same source. From their vary inception the State Coal Mines have ') 'en th* breeding place of disaffection, sind the focus of syndicalist a: d " Red Fed' intrigue which has been such i eurso to organised labour in tins jouitry. As to what should be done, tlie " Press" suggests a drastic remedy. •' Wo think," it says, "the Government ougit at once to elo*e down the State Co.il Mm s. and clear all the miners off the ground. Secondly, if it has not already done so, it should order coal from Japan or elsewhere, so as to he independent of New Zealand supplies, at ;ny rate until the employees in the private mines have conic to their senses, and declined to be led any further into disloyalty to the Empir ' by the Punanga traitors, thirdly, the Government should press on the work of utilising our water power for tho development of electric energy. This State coal enterprise must cease. It. has failed, "id the miners must look for work ■olsetvhere. 'those who are of military age and physically (it should, ns tliev aro called upon under the ballot, he drafted into camp. The labour ol the I '"•'St could be absorbed by the farmers.

'Jheir wages will probably not iio moro than half of v.hat they have been getting in mining, hut if farm workers ~'ot as much lor their labour as the wiiiers .Jul. our Wheat, oats, nif.it, • butter and Hiee:.e v.ou'd ha-e tn l>° largely raised p,, CP . If s „ ln „ Hundreds ol miners ware diverted Iron, ».'ning to agricultural I ibonr. it would •ie benefi' ial | 0 Jho community. l! o Present Stale foal Mine;, at all event"

must he abandoned ns ~

pris-, end the present is a very fitting time ior the Oovernment to ej-.e eli'eet to this resolution."