ENDING THE COAL TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1921, Page 4

ENDING THE COAL TROUBLE.

The news that normal conditions will be resumed at all the coal mines will be received with much satisfaction, thoughbefore -the special committee which is to inquire into the case of alleged victimisation is called together the miners, it is said, are to give an assurance that the “go slow” policy is abandoned and that the output will reach normal proportions. It is to be hoped that the trouble is really over, and that from now onwards efforts will be made to increase the output so as to enable a satisfactory reserve of coal to be accumulated and allow the output of cement to meet the large demand consequent on the urgent need for more houses. It would seem advisable, in view of past experience, that there should be a permanent committee available for settling all disputes so as to prevent the dislocation of industrial activities, the men pledging themselves to abide loyally by the decision of the committee, and to abstain from restricting or stopping the output. The advantages of such a course are plainly manifest, and as all disputes, sooner or later, have to be settled, no time should be lost over irritating preliminaries. All that is needed is that the tribunal shall be so constituted as to command the confidence of both sides. Such a provision would be the means of saving much time and money, both of which can be far more profitably utilised than in strife over matters that can easily be adjusted. The matter is one that should receive serious consideration, as the future prosperity of the country, and the best interests of the whole community, would be served by the prompt settlement of all industrial differences.