Such, briefly, are the sacrifices required. But a reorganization of
the whole industry is neede4t. . Coal rights and mineral rights should be acquired by the. State and administered by ,a Coal Commission, Aloyal- ties, no doubt, affect only negligibly the total finance of the industry, but -their acquisition by the State is sound in principle and will remove a cause of suspicion and misunderstanding. The closing of certain pits is regarded as inevitable. It is not insisted upon, but it is implied: Amalgamation of many mines, again, is not made com- pulsory, but it is shown to be desirable. A .transfer of labour will probably be necessary, and the Government should prepare plans. The removal of populations presents a fresh aspect of the housing. problem.: The Socialist scheme for nationalization is rejected as unwork- able. It is pointed out, for one thing, that if the State became a coal merchant there would be new international dangers. There should be co-operation in the sale of coal. Further, local authorities should be empowered to sell coal retail. This is an attempt, of course, to keep a cheek on the coal merchants.
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