That part of the Report which recommends that the subsidy
to the mines should in no circumstances be continued is a vigorous and stimulating piece of work. The Commissioners were evidently alarmed by the pros- pect of the whole mining industry becoming demoralized by the too easy continuance of this great industrial dole. They felt, no doubt, that there is much leeway to be made up in the modernization of the mines, that the wits and energies of every member of the mining staffs need to be strung up to their highest pitch, and that an entirely wrong approach to the subject would be almost guaranteed ▪ if the Government said in effect, " We don't really expect you to help yourselves." We can understand and appreciate the motives of the Commission. Moreover their recommendation puts the Government in a strong tactical position because no one who reads the Report carefully can fail to see how many evils arise from sub- sidies as such, and if the nation as a whole acquires this conviction the Government will not find itself in the position of being actually expected to continue the subsidy. If ultimately it has to give way it will do so rather as an act of grace.
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