THE SUPPLY OF COAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 June 1920, Page 3

THE SUPPLY OF COAL.

■3OOD WORK ON WEST COAST. Experiment in socialism. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Stratford, Last Night. Coal supplies were dealt with by Mr. R. Masters, M.P., wiio has just returned from a visit to the West Coast, in the I course of an interview. Mr. Masters expressed the opinion that as far as the State mines were concerned, it appeared that the output was as large as could be expected. The mines were all being worked thoroughly, and he did not see any signs of "going-slow" on the part of the miners. "If there is, any 'go-slow' in the mines that I visited, well, all I can say is that I would not like to «go fast," remarked Mr. Masters. A new seam has recently been discovered at Dobson, said Mr. Masters, and this would be developed by a private company. There was also a new mine ready to be opened up at Seven Mile Beach, but before this coal will be available a line of railway 2$ miles long will require to be constructed. In regard to the latter an interesting experiment in socialism will be tried. The Government has agreed to allow the men to construct the railway themselves on a co-operativs basis, and the men will choose their own foremen and specialists, and share any profit or loss. The work will be under Itjie : supervision of the Public Works DeI partmcnt, and the gang will require tj complete the line in a specified timefifteen months is suggested. Plant and tools will be provided by the Department, but apart from this the men will construct the line without assistance. As the men have no money themselves, it i.! | proposed that 10 per'cent, be deducted ; from their weekly earnings to ibe forfeited if the line is not completed within the specified time, or if any man leaves the work or misbo haves himself. The experiment, said Mr. Masters, is attracting keen interest on the Coast, and there is considerable competition amongst the workmen to join the gang.

Asked if he saw any stacks of coal lying idle through lnek of shipping, Mr. Masters said that at the time he was in (iroymouth there were three boats in the port waiting to he loaded, and he did not sea any surplus eoal about. In hi* opinion the mines were being worked thoroughly, but there was still a shortage of labor.