Labour's Plan for Coal-Production
However successful the Government may be m reducing domestic consumption of fuel, it is certain that that alone v; not meet the country's needs during the coming winter. W industry is still expanding, and will need more power, and in ad non it is likely that we shall have to export more coal to Rus and to use more for the production of iron and steel from 0 mined in this country. The recall of skilled workers to mines is one way of increasing production, but it is not the o way. It is agreed that much might be done by technical devel ment and the more economic use of plant and labour ; nor sha it be overlooked that the psychological factor counts for much getting the best work out of the men and reducing absenteen For these reasons the plan submitted to the Government by National Council of Labour deserves serious consideration. proposes the setting up of a National Coal Board, composed representatives of the Government, the Mineowners' Assoaan and the Mineworkers' Federation, with wide powers for plaml and organising the industry, and regional boards similarly co stituted, with pit committees representing owners and workers each mine. Some of the owners will be likely to resist the propo as going a long step on the road to nationalisation ; but it as n nationalisation in the full sense of the term, and there is not t least reason why the key coal-industry should be exempt from controls which have been applied to war industry elsewhere.. coalmining industry, handicapped as it still is by a multiplicitY owners and by uneconomic working in small units, stands to g much by unification of control ; and the mineworkers themseh would go forward with better will if they felt they were represent on the controlling body. The test that should be applied to proposal is—Will it work with a view to a war-time programme.
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