LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
THE MINER AND THE NATION
SIR,—The actual productive capacity of British coal mines today with their present equipment and man-power is not less than 250,000,000 tons per annum as compared with an actual output of 190,000,000 tons. In 1938, when coal output was 227,000,000 tons, unemployment was 16 per cent., whilst time lost through want of trade was one month. During the past eight years, considerable expansion has taken place in mining mechanisation. The present appalling situation facing the nation due to shortage of coal is entirely because of gross absenteeism and lack of effort by the miner since 1941. In that year, with fewer men than at present employed, the output of coal was nearly 30,000,000 tons more than in 1946. Compared with pre-war years absenteeism has increased from 6 per cent. to nearly 18 per cent., and output per man-shift has declined from 23 cwts. to 20 cots. despite increased mechanisation. The criminal irresponsibility of the miner represents a loss in annual output of no less than 50,000,000 tons.
Miners are to have a five-day week in May this year. Gross absenteeism and lack of effort at the mines has brought the nation to the verge of ruin, and if the national interest is to be safeguarded, the mining community must display far greater awareness of its responsibilities before hours of work are reduced. Loss of coal exports represent the value of our wheat imports ; steel production and the output of the chemical industry, etc., are seriously affected through shortage of coal supplies. The miner receives some 10 tons of coal per annum, and in addition can purchase the present very meagre domestic ration of 50 cwts. per annum. High wages and good con- ditions in the mining industry have led to the miners' lack of effort, and the present crisis that has inflicted indescribable misery and severe privation on the nation.—Yours faithfully, R. C. SMART. 146 High Street, Harborne, Birmingham, 17.
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