The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1921. COAL OUTPUT.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1921, Page 4

The Daily News. FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1921. COAL OUTPUT.

Coalmining has rightly been described as the key industry of the British Empire, as well as of all other countries engaged in manufactures, but until strikes and “go slow” tactics resulted in an acute shortage of this essential commodity, the extent to which national activities were dependent on coal was not fully realised. The knowledge acquired by this outcome of direct action has proved a bitter experience. Unfortunately the position grew worse instead of better, while the losses, direct and indirect, make an alarming total, and still the evil is-with us, the remedy not yet being in sight. It may be said to be a world-wide epidemic that fluctuates hither and thither, at one time losing its virulence in one country and becoming more menacing in another, yet defying all efforts directed to stamping it out. It is the problem of the age, the outcome of the pernicious doctrine that might is right, the ascendancy of moral obliquity produced by the. domination of selfishness over justice and equity, the reversion to primitive instincts and methods. All sane thinking people—and these are certainly in the majority—stand aghast at the spectacle of a small minority holding up the industries of a country, paralysing its trade and commerce, and inflicting heavy burdens and sacrifices on the community. Such a spectacle is a mockery of civilisation, a burlesque of democracy, and evidence of a supreme contempt for laws and good government and a hankering after the lawless and licentious methods of Communism—the right to do as they please, to seize capital and property and indulge in a saturnalia of horrors like those witnessed in Russia. Why work? Man is a free agent, should he not, therefore, do as he pleases? Apparently, the coal-miners are of that opinion. Jhey work when they.

please, go slow when it suits them, strike when they wish to exhibit their self-will and independence—and do any and all these things with impunity. According to the recent report, of the Coal Controller of the Dominion, there was a decreased output of bituminous coal last year of 112,311 tons, also a falling off of brown coal and lignites of 2337 tons, and had it not been for the record importation of 646,019 tons the country would have been in a parlous plight, for it was only by the special efforts made to obtain overseas coal that enabled the industries and services of the Dominion to be maintained. Obviously, the money sent abroad to purchase over half a million tons of coal is a serious loss, but that is a mere detail compared with the enormous injury that would have been caused had not this coal been brought into the country. The position of the coal output of the Dominion is so serious that it demands measures should be devised for effectively solving the problem. It may fairly be assumed this can be done without resort to harsh measures or the employment of prison labor. The contention of the Welfare League that the general public is a third party to every dispute is perfectly sound, and it is reasonable to assume that the public should have a voice in the settlement of disputes, a course that should be in the best interests of industrial peace. As it would be great folly not to bear in mind the possible contingency that federated labor may sooner or later hold up the importation of coal, it would be politic to face this peril as soon as possible and not wait till it arrives. It should be possible to arrange a satisfactory tribunal for fixing prices and wages as well as settling all disputes, one acceptable to all concerned and’ available at short notice so as to nip trouble in the bud. At all events determined efforts should be made to minimise industrial strife and promote increased production.