MINING LAWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 108, 3 November 1937, Page 11

MINING LAWS

AMENDING MEASURE

BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS

STATE MINE FINANCE

No questions of policy are incorporated in the Coal Mines Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the House of Representatives this afternoon by Governor-General's Message, the measure being largely an effort at consolidating coal-mining laws and modifying some of the machinery provisions.

An important feature of the Bill is the manner in which it makes further provision for the safety of miners. Among the 31 clauses which comprise it, there is one increasing the borrowing powers for the purpose of State coal mines. It is stated that at present a new State mine is being opened up on the West Coast. The borrowing power for purposes of State coal mines is limited to £280,000 by the principal Act, and of this amount only £55,000 remains unexpended. This amount is insufficient to enable the opening up of the mine, and a further £50,000 is required. The amendment enables the extra £50,000 to be provided for the purpose. One of the provisions of the Bill prohibits persons under 23 years of age from acting as managers, underviewers, and firemen deputies in coal-mines, in view of the fact that the duties to be performed call for men of responsible age. The proposed amendment follows English

practice. Provision is inserted for relaxing the restrictions on the employment of women and boys in coal mines. Under the principal Act, it is explained, the employment of charwomen or female nurses, or the employment of females or boys under sixteen in solely clerical employment is illegal. It is felt that there is no good reason for the prohibition of employment in these cases, and the amendment removes this condition. Another amendment restricts the age of employment underground to sixteen years. Under the Bill it ivill be an offence for any person,to carry out ordinary work on Sunday at a coal mine. It is proposed that plans shall be kept for underground workings in all coal mines, .irrespective of the number of men employed. In the terms of the principal Act this applies only to mines in which more than six men are engaged. • ! . , There arfe clauses aiming at ensuring better ventilation in mines and providing for better protection from inclement weather on haulage roads. The Bill prohibits the use of internal combustion engines underground; and the accumulation of coal dust in working places. In the interests of safety the percentage of inflammable gas which requires withdrawal of the workmen has been reduced from 2_ to 2. ; Another clause requires owners to contribute towards the cost of transport of workmen to and from the mines, in view of the fact that in some cases the amount which miners have to pay in transport is considered to be unduly high, and more than they can reasonably afford. -,*'..*.., In order to increase the safety factor, power is taken in the Bill to make regulations for the use by miners ofsafety clothing and equipment such as hard hats and goggles. _ ; The Minister of Mines (the Hon. f. C. Webb), in introducing the measure, outlined its provisions and said that he had consulted the mining interests fully before presenting the measure. The Bill was read a second time pro j forma and referred to the Mines Com- ! mittee., ~ _"