COAL MINES BILL

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25878, 10 August 1949, Page 8

COAL MINES BILL

BRIQUETTING PLANS (New 7.eaiana Press Association.* WELLINGTON. August 9. Authority for the Government to buy coal for up-grading is contained in the Coal Mines Amendment Bill introduced in the House, of Representatives this evening. The Minister of Mines, Mr McLagan. said that this, was something that was necessary in New Zealand, where the greater part of the -. coal . resources consisted of lignite and lower grade coals. It ‘ would enable coal to be bought for treatment in briquetting works to turn it into a .fine grade household fuel. The bill also makes some minoi amendments to last year’s Coal Act. which provided for the acquisition by the Crown of the property in all un worked coal. The Minister said the first of these brought into account when determining the global sum . the royalties won from privately owned mines no longer worked, but which had been worked during the seven years before. It had been intended that such royalties should be taken into account, but the legislation had not permitted that.

The bill also provides for the payment of compensation out of the State coal mines account and for rents and royalties to be paid into that account. The Minister said there was provision for the determination of the amount of compensation as between life tenants and remainder men or other beneficiaries, such as in a trust estate. The Public Trust Office had asked for the clause, which would enable the Supreme Court to determine the apportionment between members of an estate.

There are several machinery clauses dealing with the inspection of opencast and underground mines. There is provision for the r ispension of certificates of competency as a mine manager. underviewer, or a fireman deputy unless they are endorsed periodically that the holder of them is the holder of a recognised first aid certificate