Is the Coal Industry Contracting Too Quickly?*

For some years now union members have been concerned ~ as have the leadership - with the continuing problem of a contracting industry, Pits have closed, compelling men to seek employment elsewhere, Side by side has gone the problem of voluntary contraction. No one doubts that the second is the child of the first, No one doubts cither that chronic absenteeism, higher age levels, indiscipline and general demoralisation are the manifestations of this worsening situation, Since July, this year, suspicions about government policy have deepened. Now the cat is out of the bag. Fits without readily workable reserves and grossly uneconomic pits are to quickly close, The different government ministries have been instructed to assessthe likely displacement of men and to make arrangements for (a) the transfer of able-bodied men from the pits due to close to the newer and re-organised pits, and (b) the establishment of alternative industry in areas where men cannot be accomodated in the nining industryesseethe fight against premature pit closures and for the alternative industry will now proceed at national level whéte the national executive committee has asked for meetings with the governments . * from The Miner, the journal of the South Wales Area of the N.U.M. of which Wn Whetohond twa the nresidenti.