THE RECENT STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 13 October 1919, Page 5

THE RECENT STRIKE.

NATIONALISATION OF UDSfBS ' ' , OPPOSED. ~j STRAIGHT TALK BY PREMIER, BETTER MINERS' HOMES. By Telecrnpli—Press Assn.—Copyright. ' ll Received Oct. 12, 6.5 p.m. London, Oct. 10. The official report of the deputation which waited on Mr. Lloyd George atittlftl time of tho recent big strike statu tiwtj' Messrs Stuart, Bunning, Brace, Hodgif,* and Smillie stated Labor's view. Mr. Smillie said the miners claim nationalisation primarily on the ground ; of safety. They were convinced thsy could reduce accidents in the mineff'f which were largely unsafe because tiujrJ were worked for private profit. Nation*' alisation would also improve the output. \ Mr. Lloyd George, replying, said th»' Oo.vcrnment rejected the proposal aft# the most mature reflection. Such pty : experiment had never been tried on. a hjg" ncalo in any part of the world. It 'MM'," a great economic question affecting tb«<i whole iuduatrial life of the nation. I was also a great political issue. TJwW*': fore the whole nation mußt decide. Th#l machinery exists by which the nation can express its will in such a vital tor. No Government would accept tfcijj opinion of a commission in opposition 1 to its own judgment. ,-J Mr. Lloyd Georgft remarked: "Yoftll Labor men are looking forward to prospect of assuming government your- 1 selves. In that event, believe me, you « would never adopt the attitude that yw 'J are bound to accept the verdict of <k.| commission to force a sweeping dupgei upon the country. I have no trie&'toj create bitterness by referring "to table episodes in the most labor crisis during the past three which deeply impressed the paßUcj memory. There never was a moral inopportune moment for pressing nsttan*'alisation than tho present," V'fS Mr. Smillie: "It is most opportune "t Mr. Lloyd George: "The nationrmustl decide according to its own conscience.! Nationalisation would pot save expanses in wages. The experiment in State - control of the railways, lias increased, expenses enormously, and it is doubtful < whether the output will increase." Mr. Lloyd George stated he was.not aware of any case where men worked, better for the State than for a private; employer. The output of national'work* i shops generally compares very unfavor- t ably with private yards. The output of i American mines had increased enormously 1 during recent years, and the output per man was increasing rapidly. 1 I Mr. Smillie: "Because of an enormous i;i introduction of machinery." c Mr. Lloyd George: "Nationalisation . would be risky and highly speculative. < Mines should be worked for the benefit of the whole nation, and therefore the ' Government proposed that minerals 1 should be nationalised. It also proposed to unify industry by districts agreeing' with the Sankey report. Unification pio--duces efficiency and economy increases '! output. r _; The Government proposed to introduce i forthwith a Bill providing that a deduction from royalties shall be spent in im- l , proving the miners' houses. Future conditions will enable the miners for the first • time to have an effective voice in health and safety.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.