MINERS' GRIEVANCE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXVII, Issue LXXVII, 17 May 1919, Page 5

MINERS' GRIEVANCE

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS

(BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION.)

WELLINGTON, May 16. A deputation from representatives of tho Miners' Unions waited on Sir James Allen and Hon. G. W. Russell to-day, and complained of the lack of an eif icient water supply, the drainage arrange-1 ments, and the poor housing in mining' villages. It was suggested that good work could not be gob from men while living under such conditions. Complaint was also made regarding the lack of proper medical officers in the mining settlements. Sir James Allen said he was in entire sympathy with the men in respct to the complaints regarding bad sanitation, and he promised that enquiry would be made into the matters complained of The Hon. G. W. Russell said the question of sanitation at Blackball had been under the consideration of the Health Department for the past five years. A proposal for a water supply and rirainage system for Blackball was submitted to a ballot, of ratepayers, but wa s defeated by vested interests. The chief sanitary inspector, on the West Coast had be?n ordered to visit the district, and when his report was received (if circumstances justified it) the Government would be prepared to use its legal powers ar.d require the provision of a water supply and drainage without a ballot of ratepayers. In regard to the shortage.-*)! doctors he was? considering a scheme by which the doctors in these districts- should b e supported by levy b n the output of the mines, and possibly on the miners' wages, to provide a fund which would enable resident medical men to be located in; mining districts when released from war service.