COAL-MINES COUNCIL

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23087, 1 August 1940, Page 8

COAL-MINES COUNCIL

* VOTE FOR EXPENSES DISCUSSED SHARP EXCHANGES IN THE HOUSE [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, July 31. Out of a smooth and uneventful debate a sudden storm arose when the vote for the Mines Department under the Supplementary Estimates was under consideration in the House of Representatives to-night. A sum of £I2OO. shown for fees and expenses of members of the Coal-mines Council, was hotly debated, gave rise to an amendment, moved by Mr A. E. Jull (Opposition, Waipawa), that the vote should be reduced by £io “in protest to the introduction of a hierarchy in control of the coal mines of this country,” and ended in some heated exchanges after the Minister for Mines (the Hon. P. C. Webb) had explained the purpose of the vole. Strong exception was taken to some aspects of the council’s powers by Opposition members. Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) said the Minister had indicated that it was the intention of the Government to hand to the organisation powers not held by the Cabinet or the Minister. Mr H. G. Dickie (Opposition, Patea) said that the wool, honey, and other councils were paid for by the industry, but the Coal-mines Council was to be a charge on the country. “We are having Stale funds handed out to friends of the Government,” said Mr W. J. Broadfoot (Opposition. Waitomo). The Chairman of Committees (Mr R. McKeen); Order. Order. I cannot allow any member to raise a question suggesting bribery or corruption, and the suggestion made by the honourable gentleman is tantamount to that. If he continues on these lines I will ask him to resume his seat. Mr Broadfoot: Then, I’ll pi-oceed on other lines. References by Mr Broadfoot to Mr A. McLagan, a member of the council, resulted in his being repeatedly called to order by the chairman. When he resumed his speech he protested against the handing over of the industry to a- commission. “It is running away from responsibility, and that is what the Minister has done since he got into office,” Mr Broadfoot said. “He is taking off his hat for the miners again.” A Government member: You would not take off your hat. Mr Broadfoot: No. I would not. Not at the price they are getting for coal. We are pi’otesting against men getting money from the Government who are already in well-paid jobs. The Minister said that past interference with the coal-mining industry was justification for a council of the kind appointed. Millions of tons of coal had been wasted because there ■ was no one with enough power and knowledge to deal with the improper working of seams. The council had to investigate the whole question of coalmining, and make a recommendation to the Government as to how best to conduct tlie industry. He assured the House that it was intended to organise the industry and protect the coal seams. "The idea is that the commission should organise the industry as efficiently as possible, and protect the coal seams of the country," said Mr Webb. “Millions of tons of coal have been lost by fire because of faulty mining practice in the past. This commission has been appointed with a view to avoiding that sort of thing.” Mr W. J. Poison (Opposition, Stratford) asked the Minister if he could say that the power of the commission was limited to the making of recommendations., Mr Webb: The commission will make recommendations to the Minister.' “There are men on the staff of the Mines Department who are much better qualified to advise the Minister than the members of this commission,” said Mr W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago). "There is ample machinery in the existing legislation to deal with- any infringements of the existing law.” . . T „ . Mr A. E. Jull (Opposition, Waipawa) said the Minister had stated definitely that the commission would have power to “sack” miners, managers, and to close a mine if it considered that course necessary. The Minister now stated that the commission would make recommendations only. “I think the vote should be reduced because of a want of candour on the part of the Minister in this House.” said Mr *4 commission to have the right to investigate the profiteering of retailers of coal in big cities? asked Mr Broadfoot. ’ . A vote was then taken on the amendment. which was lost by 39 votes to 19.