The Bill for the Nationalization of Mines and Minerals was
defeated on the Second Reading in the House ol Commons on Friday, May 16th. The debate was par- ticularly interesting, because this was the first time that the issue of nationalization had been raised by the present Government. The Bill, however, did not propose nationalization in the ordinary sense. The scheme was to create a Mining Council of twenty-one members, ten of whom, and the President, would be nominated by the Government and ten of whom would be nominated by the Miners' Federation. All the mines and minerals would be purchased by this Mining Council with public money, and then the Council would manage the mines with the help of District Mining Councils, each consisting of ten members, in the various areas. Half of the members of these local Councils would be appointed by the Crown and half by the Miners' Federation. There would be compensation for property compulsorily acquired, but none for royalties.
