THE FUTURE OF THE DISTRESSED AREAS
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
Snt,—We shall fail in our obligation to the miners if we do
not go beyond the matter of relieving inunediate distress. We ought to take advantage of the present feeling of general good will to press forward to the definite reconstruction of the distressed areas and the provision of employment for the miners who are unemployed.
Everyone agrees that this is necessary, but obstacles appear as soon as any single plan is suggested. It seems, therefore, that more hope lies in seeking a solution along all possible lines of improvement, made available simultaneously and used according to the appropriate local and individual circumstances.
This would require a knowledge of the exact situation in
different localities and at the same time would need machinery to co-ordinate that knowledge with the various remedies that could be made available. It might, for example, be useful if there were in existence a special reconstruction department of the Ministry of Mines, working in close con- junction with the Ministry of Labour, to act as a sorting ground both for information as to the needs of the mining areas and for the various plans for improvement.
To describe more precisely what I have in mind—In every colliery village there are some men who would be prepared to find new homes overseas, if the prospects of emigration were more attractive ; there are others who would undergo training for agriculture settlement at home ; others, again, more suitable for industrial transference ; and finally there are many who cannot be expected, for reasons of age or other causes, to leave the district at all, but whose position could be greatly improved by opportunities for gardening, poultry keeping, or other occupations at home.
All this is assuming that the pits which have been closed will not be reopened. But in a complete survey of the situation is that assumption justified ? Is there not con- siderable variety in the conditions of the mines which have been closed ? And might it not be in the national interest for some collieries to be continued in working order, at the least, in readiness for possible developments in new methods of utilizing coal ?
One colliery village with which I am well acquainted has
made efforts through the local council to attract industrialists by the offer of free use of land to establish undertakings in the locality, and one or two inquiries have resulted. Could not efforts of this sort be supplemented by the Government and co-operation sought with employers generally ? In spite of trade depression new factories are being erected in different parts of the country. Could not the location of these be influenced by consideration of the needs of the mining areas, and arrangements made, if necessary, for compensating disadvantages of position ?
If money can be found for relief, more money still can be found for reconstruction. The common feeling is " I would do anything I could to help if I knew what to do."
The tragedy of the coalfields is at least in part an effect of the War, and their reconstruction should be undertaken in the same spirit as the reconstruction of devastated areas abroad.
We can be thankful for the thought and care that has already been given, and think with admiration of those who have left pleasanter surroundings to devote their lives to the colliery districts. But we can show our appreciation best by renewing our own efforts.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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