THE MINING TROUBLE.

Evening Star, Issue 13162, 19 January 1909, Page 6

THE MINING TROUBLE.

STATE MONOPOLY ADVOCATED

[Special to the Stae.]

WESTPORT, January 19. Air F. F. Munro, by whose initiative the ” estport-Stocktqn Company was formed, attended a meeting of Stockton miners on Saturday. Interviewed by a ‘Westport News ’ reporter on his return to town, Mr Munro said he considered tlic medical examination as forced upon the worker under the Workers’ Compensation Act was a grave infringement of personal rights that should be resisted by everyone. So far as be could learn, pneumoconiosis was not a complaint that colliers were liable to, and it was like a try-on of the accident companies to squeeze further profits at the expense of the people, aided by faulty legislation. He considered the decision of the Ngakawau miners to resist the introduction of medical examination quite right. As a general statement, Mr Munro considered that to enable the principle of compensation to workers for accident or disease sustained while following their employment to be assured, the Government .should debar the exploitation of risk by accident companies. Those concerns were practically like bookmakers, and neemed to be busy fogging the issue. The principle had been established, and the .Stale should I»ck it financially (as they proposed doing) for a few months, until accurate results were obtained. Since the Workers’ Compensation Act came into force accident insuianco had become a State obligation, and it should, Mr Munro contended, be carried out thoroughly and administered by the Government, as is the post office, telegraphs, railways, etc., on sound business lines. It would be an example for the woi]d ; State Insurance Department handling the whole business of the Dominion would be the best guide legislators could have to extend to the fullest the benefits of compensation. It bad got to bo done, and could be done without unnecessary indignity to the individual, and without humbug or uncertainly when a claim arose. The State must handle this business alone, otherwise thfc Dominion might be landed in untold difficulties and great hardship brought upon the people. A State monopoly of accident business was the only way out from his point of view. Mr Munro, it- will be remembered, stood for Parliament against Mr Colvin. TROCBLE AT HUNTLY. WORK NOT YET RESUMED. PROCESSIONS AND CONCERTS. [Pee United Press Association.] HUNTLY, January 18. Ibe coal mines at Huntly are still' dosed, owing to the determination of the Miners’ Union not to resume work until four of their men, who underwent medical examination and are at work, are reduced in status. Meantime the miners are amusing themselves and distracting the minds of the rowdy clement by holding Processions and concerts. The four alleged "Ida-ic-legs” are daily escorted to ami from work, and the town band plays the ‘ Dead March’ in front of their residences. The union officials disclaim any desire to see violence perpetrated, and declare that they are all they can to keep everyone in order. There are 500 men out of work, they state that they will stand linn in their decision not to resume work unless the alleged "blacklegs - ’ are reduced. January 19. A second conference between the Huntlv miners and the companies relative to the employment of four men who submitted to examination takes place this afternoon. The men arc still on strike, and declare they will not enter the mine until the four meu, who hold the position of charge tirers, are placed in a position where they will have no control over the men. Processions are held daily, the men and women waving Hags and bannerettes, but there has been no molestation or stonethrowing. The president of the union anticipates no violence unless drafts of police appear. THE POSITION IN OTAGO. So far as the coal minors of Otago are concerned they will cany on as at present under their old insurance policies, and wait to see w hat is done when Parliament meets in June.