THE COAL MINES.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1919, Page 4

THE COAL MINES.

THE "GO SLOW" POLICY. THE OWNERS'ATTITUDE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. - "' " Wellington, Last Night. The secretary of the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Association has forwarded to the Prime Minister the following letter: "I am instructed to inform you that a meeting of the New Zealand Coal Mine Owners' Association was held at Wellington yesterday, to consider the proposal that « further conference should he agreed to with representatives of the Miners' Federation, and also an to what action should be taken with regard to the 'go slow' policy which has been adopted in practically the whole oi the coal mines oi the Dominion. "In connection with these matters, the following reactions were adopted for the suggested further conference: (1) That this Association is of opinion it is inadvisable to hold a further conference with the Miners' Federation; (2) Whilst deploring the action of the miners of New Zealand in adopting the 'go slow' policy, by which the output o? coal throughout the Dominion has been reduced by about one-third, and the financial returns of several companies seriously affected, this Association is of opinion it will be in the best interests of the country to, keep the mines op=n for work rather than to close down anl to increase the price of coal to such an amount as will enable each mine to carry on.

"With regard to the above resolutions it is desired that I should point out that the coal mine owners have gone as far as they possibly can in the way of making concessions to the miners, especially as any extra cost must be passed on to the general public. That being the case the responsibility of any extra cost entailed as a result of the adoption of the 'go slow' policy must be accepted by those who are responsible for its being put into operation. "It is hoped the conclusions arrived at \yll meet with the approval of the Govand that the adoption of constitutional inehods of settling disputes of this kind, as against the principle of direct action, will bo supported by the Government and Parliament of this Dominion."

PEACE AND PROGRESS. SIR JOSEPH WARD'S PANACEA. (By Wire—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night, '1 have gradually come to the conclusion that the country ought to own the coal mines in the general interest? of the people of the country, and for the general safety of the country," said Sir Joseph Ward in the House of Representatives this evening. "The mines should be acquired on fair conditions Ever since I have been in Parliament the chief sources of labor troubles, of friction between capital and labor—if we except the great maritime strike—hnve been the coal miners and the wat-rside workers. We cannot get along in this country unless we remove the causes of frjetion. We must face those quertioni. The coal mines and the mining settlements will have to be improved. Homes will have to be provided for the miners, and the State will have to do it, but the country will not do it for private owners. Then when the miner has got good conditions, the State will expect him to give a full day's work tor a full day's pay." Sir Joseph Ward added that the harbor boards and the shipping companies should come together to provide permanent employment for a fixed number of watersiders with proper housing and superannuation, Then those men would have security, and could be expected to work without friction. The miners and the watersiders Were holding the key to the position in industry, and if there was to be peace and progress the country must put itself in the right in dealing with them.