THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1912. STATE COAL MINES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10562, 19 February 1912, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1912. STATE COAL MINES.

The taxpayers of the country should be profoundly gratified that there is no immediate prospect of Sir Joseph Ward being able to put into operation the red-hot Radical proposals contained in the Governor's Speech. The nationalization of the iron and oil deposits would probably bo mad© the stepping-<stone to tho nationalization of the whole of the means of production, and the elimination entirely of private ownership. One has only to review the operations of the State coal mines to see what a holy mess would be made of tilings under sum circumstances. When the State coal mines were opened, we were led to believe that the masses of the people would be prodded with fuel at about one-half the existing rates. But what has happened P The mines have been run hi a slip-shod manner, without regard to fixed business principles, and at an absolute loss to the Dominion. while those requiring cheap coal have been unable to obtain it. A manifesto recently issae-J by the State Miners' Union throws a lurid light upon the methods adopted at the State mines. Tho manifesto challenges the Department and management to prove that at any time the working of these mines has been in the best interests of tho people. It alleges that the system of coal extraction is "obsolete, dangerous and disastrous," that no prov l .- ion has been made to adequately doal with tho inflow of water, and that

thousands of tons of coal have been, and are being lost. The miners assert that had the mines been opened up and worked on a reasonably scientific system their success would have been remarkable. Instead of this, it is alleged that the utmost endeavours are being made to "crush the industry and to prove to the people that State enterprise is a failure." In view of the fact that the Prime .Minister proposes to embark upon still further State enterprises, the conclusion arrived at by the Miners' Union is hardly consistent. The State has proved itself utterly incapable of managing any great business (other than that which is part and parcel of the true functions of the State) on anything like scientific or economic lines. Take the systems of railway and road construction and the experimental farms. Tbese have been run in a most extravagant and wasteful manner. For jwhy? Because the trail of party politics is over it all. The State miners are perfectly correct when thf y j say that the mines have never been run in the,best interests of the people. And it is safe to say that they never will be so run until they are removed entirely from the control" of politicians who have neither business training nor aptitude for the work of supervision. The miners themselves have supplied the strongest possible argument against State ownership. It is unreasonable to expect that a butcher, or a baker, or a candlestick-ma-ker, is capable of managing an institution which requires expert knowledge and business acumen. And yet this is what is contemplated under State ownership. Before the State can successfully manage any business —railways, coal, iron, or anything else— it must have every-department removed from political influence, and ■every manager an expert in his particular line. It is obvious that while party politics obtain, this is impossible. And it is asking too much of the country to approve further State enterprises when those already in existence have proved utter failures.