Briefly summarized, the Government’s Labour policy in connection with the coal-mining industry is as follows: 1. The industry must be worked by private enterprise. 2. The functions of the Government in connection with mining should be centralized in a Mines Department. 3. Such assistance as a Government Department can render in (_a_) the collection and publication of information; (_b_) removing obstacles to production; (_c_) the formulation of drainage schemes; (_d_) preventing wasteful working of a great national asset; (_e_) ensuring the safety and health of the workers, and (_f_) assisting, when asked to do so, in the settlement of disputes, should be rendered through the Mines Department. 4. Providing the means (through the Miners’ Welfare Fund) for improving the amenities of mining centres. 5. Encouraging research into the particular problems affecting the health and safety of workers in the industry. The Mines Department, established under the Act of 1920, is responsible for dealing with one of our most important industrial problems, and the success of its administration up to the present time is full of encouragement for the future. CHAPTER XV GOVERNMENT LABOUR POLICY FOR RAILWAYS Pre-war Conditions—Government War-time Control—The Wage Agreement of March 1919—The Railway Strike of September 1919—The Wage Agreement of March 1920—The Railways Act, 1921—The Railway Conciliation Machinery of 1921—Sectional Railway Councils—Railway Councils. Pre-war Conditions As Labour proposes on the first opportunity to nationalize the railways, the relationship between the men and the companies is important. Under an Agreement of November 6, 1907, Conciliation Boards consisting of representatives of the companies and the men engaged in the manipulation of traffic had been appointed to deal with questions of hours and wages and working conditions. A railway strike occurred in 1911, and it was stated that one of the reasons for the strike was the dissatisfaction of the railway men with the working of the Railway Conciliation Scheme. The Government then appointed a Royal Commission to investigate the working of the scheme and to report what changes, if any, were desirable, with a view to a prompt and satisfactory settlement of differences. The Royal Commission reported in October 1911, and suggested a new scheme which, with some alterations agreed between the representatives of the companies and of the Unions, was adopted in December 1911. This scheme the Unions gave notice, in December 1913, to terminate at the end of November 1914, at which date they expressed their intention of advancing a national programme for increased wages and a 48-hour week. Government War-time Control