MINING BILLS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 11

MINING BILLS

Put Through Final Stages LITTLE OPPOSITION Two Bills relating to mining were put through their final stages and passed by the House in less than two hours yesterday. They were’the Coal Mines Amendment Bill and the Alining Amendment Bill. Moving the second reading debate on the former measure, the Minister of Mines, Mr. Webb, said that the coal owners, miners and inspectors were of the opinion that the Bill was necessary. It was essentially a machinery clause Bill, aiming at greater safety in the mines. Practically the only criticism by the Opposition was levelled at one clause which makes the Minister the . overriding authority in the cancellation of agreements for the working of coalmining rights on a tribute or royalty basis. Opposition speakers contended that there should be right of appeal against the Minister’s decision. They expressed the opinion that the fact that the Minister would make his decision on the recommendation of a warden or commissioner might lead to some injustice. “I don’t know what all the fuss has been about,” said the Minister in the committee stage. The clause, he explained, was for the purpose of protecting companies or individuals from “farming.” In some cases a lease was obtained to work certain areas of Crown coal land, which was then subleased at a royalty of 2/-, 3/-, or even sometimes 4/- a ton. The clause was to prevent that “farming” from taking place. It dealt only with Crown land; freehold was not affected. The clause had been drawn up as a result of consideration by all parties, and it was generally agreed that any interference with it would nullify it. The Bill was reported without amendment.

Moving the second reading of the Mining Amendment Bill, the Minister said that most of the clauses were of a machinery nature. One clause extended to gold dredges the prohibition of the employment of youths under the age of 16 years. Another clause provided that workmen’s inspections should be made at least once a fortnight.

The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Holland, stated in the committee stage that the Opposition had been through the Bill and agreed with the clauses.

In reply to Mr. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) the Minister said that provision for the collection of a levy of £7/10/- an acre of land dredged was never unreasonably enforced if the land was totally unfit for agricultural, pastoral or afforestation purposes or was not injuriously affected by dredging. The House rose at 4.15 p.m.