On the crucial question of nationalizing the coal-mines Mr. Justice
Sankey and his three colleagues expressed no opinion, for lack of time and want of sufficient evidence. But they con- damned the present system of ownership and working, and said that it must be replaced by "either nationalization or a method of unification by national purchase and/or by joint control." "We are prepared, however, to report now," they continued, " that it is in the interests of the country that the colliery worker shall in the future have an effective voice in the direction of the mine." They proposed that the Commission should resume its sittings and consider various means of reducing the cost of production, which the Coal Controller might put in force. It is clear that, unless the output can be increased and the working expenses lessened, the nation will have to pay many extra millions for its coal, either in taxes or in higher prices.
