THE MINING BILL

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 284, 30 November 1910, Page 7

THE MINING BILL

SMALT, BKOGEESS MADE. (By Tetegranb.—Pacliamentaxy Benoirter4. WELLINGTQN, Tuesday. In committee on the Mining Act Amendment Bin Mr. Fra-ser objected that too many hampering conditions were being put on the mining industry. Mr. Herries pointed out tliat as the Mil stood it would be incumbent on two or three prospectors driving a tunnel to engage a mine (manager to superintend their work. The Minister called attention to a supplementary order-paper, indicating that a mine manager shall only be necessary whore more than' twelve men are employed, above ground,'at'any one time, or <more then »ix men underground at any one time. On the Minister's motion, dauec 7 "was deleted, and a new clause inserted as above-mentioned. At chfliee 15, providing that applications for unining privileges are to.be disposed of within six months, except the 'time .is extended, "with the consent, of the -Miniater." Mr, Anderson moved to strike out the 'words "with the consent of the Minister." Xoat iby 46 votes to 21. Mr. Seddon moved to exclude alluvial gold from the imposition of the tax for the Gold Miners' Relief Fund. That, said Mr. Seddon, "would jn*ke the tax applicable ito gold got from reefs only. The Minister said, he "would accept .the amendment. Mr. E, B, Taylor objected strongly to clause 18, providing that /when proceedings for gold-stealing are taken, the accused im» to account for any gold exceeding one and α-half ounces in his possession ■prior to the proceedings. The Minister said that a. great deal of gold-stealing went on in this country. There was no objection from the honest miners to tbe clause in question, Mr, Poland said the miners strongly objected to the clause, which cast a stigma upon them , . In the Ohinemnii district there <waa absolutely no goldsteal] ing. At this stage the Minister decided to report progress on the bill.