The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1915. THE WELSH MINERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1915, Page 4

The Daily News. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1915. THE WELSH MINERS.

Just as the Home authorities were congratulating themselves on having overcome the munitions trouble, there has appeared another thorn in the flesh in the shape of a strike by the Welsh miners. Without coal the manufacture of munitions cannot fce carried on, and the various industries of the country would soon be paralysed. This is not a time when a coal strike can be regarded with equanimity, for the needs of the crisis are so urgent that it is imperative for every link in the industrial machine to be doing its full task, so that effectiveness may not be impaired, but rather extended. The cause of the trouble is not difficult to locate. It is simply that the men refuse to bo exploited by the coal owners, who are reaping a rich harvest. The men arc not only looking affairs as they are at present, but (is they probably will be after the war, und they are bent on making their position more favorable than hitherto, They regard the present as the right time for securing what they deem to be U fair share of the value of the coal they hew, and on that claim they arc standing fast. Those who know the Welsh miners are well aware of their patriotism. They have given their sons to fight for the Empire as readily as any other portion of the Tjnited Kingdom, but they want justice and will not be denied. It mu-.t. be remembered that tlie doctrine of Socialism has not been lulled to slee.i. ft has been growing and spreading [juietly, but none the less surely, and d fruitful soil for its operation is tint (wound the Welsh miners. This is one of the factors in tiie struggle that is how proceeding, as is evidenced by the tall of the men for nationalisation of the eoal supply. It is extremely unfortuhate that this matter has been so badly bungled throughout. The Government has tried conciliation, but tlie men will not listen to their leaders, and stand firm for a durable and satisfactory settlement instead of a temporary compromise. They fear that if they give way now (he masters will, as soon as the. war is over, elose down the collieries, leaving the men to shift for themselves as be-.t they can, or force them to take lower | rates. The position is perfectly plaid, liid at a critical time like (lie present, tlie Government would have been nut only justified, luii: ha>t been perfornirej /i duly tu the Stale b- v Liking over the coal mines. Admittedly, such :\ sf-'p would have been somewhat revolutionary In I lie u!i! Land, yet the need was and i* >o imperative that hall' measures can only intensify iiist-sul of overcome a trouble that is bound sooner or lalev to need a wicialUiv remedy. Who e.\o blame the men for laying firm hold on Nature's first law? Toe nia-ters hi.'C been having good times, and llicy look for bete." returns sliil, w'ii!o the melt, uhe get none o' tiie enhanced values, 1 are expected to be patriotic in order to swell profits. Few people will endorse i patriotism of that class. Another wif- 1 for resentment by the men was fie J application of thr; Munitions Act to l)ie I j

coal district, with its threat of force. The Government has not rightly graspxl the position, nor can they do so until they realise that the men are entitled to consideration, and that if they cannot get justice from the owners then it is time for the coal mim.s to become .State property. The position cannot be allowed to remain as it is, arid it is to be hoped that no rash step will be taken under the mistaken idea that the arm of the law <vlll succeed in a ease where the fundamental principles of justice are being outraged by those for whom the men have been working. Let the Government jettison their scruples and nationalise the industry, thus providing a remedy that will speedily end the present strife. It is not a time for half measures.