NATIONALISATION OF MINES.

Taihape Daily Times, 2 September 1919, Page 3

NATIONALISATION OF MINES.

RECOMMENDA'TIONS OF INDUSTRIES COMMITTEE. In its -repo.rt the Industry Conrbittee refers as foll’o-Ws to the coal industry: “After the most careful consideration of the available facts, and assistcgl in some instances by personel observation, the committee has come to the conclusion that it is vain to suggest ha.l'f-measures in dealing with the question ‘of coal supply. The successful work of our ‘coal measures is vital to the whole people. The failure of supply has led to deprivation and discomfort in the home, the crippling of industry, and the paralysis of one of the greatest of our public services. . . . . “It must be conceded at once that the conditions under which miners and their families live have contributed largely to the general -dissatisfaction and the fostering of the spirit of unrest, audit is hoped by the committee. that an end will speedily be made of this cause of dissatisfaction by providing reasonable housing accommodation at or near the various mining Centres. “To remedy the evils and danger, to preserve the Dominions’ industries, and ‘to secure in the immediate future the means for developmental activities, it is recommended by‘ the Committee:—--“That the coal measures of the Dominion be iiationalisdd, and that pri-vately-ownedunines and measures be purchased by the State at valuation. ‘ That a board of management «and distribution under Ministerial authority be estziblislwd, on "which workers on§;‘:v;g_'.v‘ ‘‘ ‘ » ?,mluSh‘y shall be represrnf .-«'1. “That there be set on foot at once a scheme which shall result in the comfortable housing of the miners and other workers concerned. “Tliut a superanmiation scheme on similar lines to tlla‘t"’iu operation in the Railway service form part of the general scheme. “That the State own and control the necessary shipping for the carriage of coal.”