NATIONALISATION OF COAL MINES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 54, 23 March 1901, Page 2

NATIONALISATION OF COAL MINES.

TO THE EDITOR. Rib.—A paragraph is rmxad taken from the Sydney U*mld commenting oo Mr. Seddon's proposal to nationalise thi coal mnes of New Zealand. The commentator writes: ''lf Mr. SeddoLiV proposal were to become a recognised thing private enterprise would be ruinnd." In answer to the abjy. statement, let me stauo that it is possible to provo in this cape that " private enterprise is public 'obberv." Mr. Seddon stated to a deputation tt.at interviewed him on tbo subject, " The ceal hewera \vere paid at; rate* fixed under the Conciliation and Arbitration Act, and if the Government went in for Stito coalmining it would have to pay tbe tame ratej ns pn sent. companies. Tlie price paid heweis at Wwsrport was 2s 104 l>tr ton, and railway freight from tbe mine was 2s per ton. miking a total of •As 10d per ton. Th« price on beard ship when she left Westport was 10» p<.r ton bo that the Company charge* more money per ton for placing the coal on board ship than the same tdompany pays for the hewing of coil afcd carrying it to the port, it is very evident that the colonists are under the thumb of the Company and that consumers' muss pay the piper, unless the Government comes to the aid of the colonists. Only think that coal tb»t w brought to Westport for 4s lOd perton cos', in New Plymouth £2 or £2 2s per wn. If after what haii been said of "private entoiprise" is not "public robbery " 1 do not know what public robbery is, The price of coal at present paid noio is a drag on tho wheel* of industry, as well as ou all hsuseholdersconsuming coal; then let tm suggest that overy BiroMgh shall assist its ratepayers by distributing the ceal. E. Armitaqe.