GRIEVANCES OF MINERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 3 November 1914, Page 4

GRIEVANCES OF MINERS

ABOLISH, THE DOG- .\V4iGH~' PREVALENCE OF DISEASE". mUEV FOrTsUFFERERS. (B v Telegraph—Own Correspondent.! WELLINGTON,- This Itey- „'.;,'. Joining the discussion oil *ho ; Mmmgt Amendment- Bill yesterday, Mr Poland? (OHineniuri) advocated, the abolition; ofc the evening or dog watch shift. He said! thai the facft that work in such mine* a*. ih.wo at Wailii was going on contimiouwlv for 24 hours « day for six days a; week ,thus allowing 110 opportunity for proper ventilation, -which >vas one of the. causes of miners' disease. _ . The Commission which sat jir-1911 had taken evidence which showed conclusively that if miners'taomplaiiit could wot be prevented, it could at least be groatly minimised. One of the best means <tf checking the disease would bo tho abolition of one of the three- shifts, tho regulation of the temperature in mines, and the appointment. Vof medical inspectors* were also necessary measures. Ho also urged that, the fund for paying compensation to men afflicted with'miners complaint should be strengthened. Ay, present oillv £SO was paid" men. Tho Minister had provided £IOOO in 1913 to assist,- and probably ho was doing, something to help. s . • . ■ Tho Minister for Mines': I am doing {*> now. In 1912, as soon as I cam© into* oHice, I obtained authority to pay £IOOO into the fund, and only the other dayJE got authority to pay an. additional £SOO or £6OO into tho. fund. He added that) something mbro required to be done. Iho> best way would bo by providing a pcrision. and death benefit scheme. He hopct* to have the opportunity next year'of bringing down, a Bill providing for jjomo fixed and permanent relief for the sufferers from'the disease. In tho meantime he -would sec that somo .provision was made to ensure the men- being paid! regular amounts. ' _ Mr Webb (Grey) declared that more than fifty men "went down" • with miners' complaint in New Zealand every t

year. ... ■ ; During /the, debate , on the Mining; Amendment Bill yesterday Afternoon., Mr Webb (Grev) declared .that if it had not been' for the Huntly disaster, tho Mrnnur and Coalmines Amendment Bills would not have been brought down this year. The Minister for Mines (Hon. WFrascr): Nonsense! They wero printed! before that. V, V In some subsequent, remarks on ■ tho subject, the Minister said that the Bill, under discussion could not be brought/ down last year owing to tho strike. Mr Poland:, You did not bring it down till November 12. Mr Fraser: It was before the Committee before them this year. The outbreak of the-war had caused a great delay, and when the House, got., back Jtp business it was nothing- but talk, talk, talk; incessantttalk, talk, talk;. ;. .;>, Mr Buick:' TTfey can do nothing' buti talk. Let them, talk— .., The mining industry has been shabbily treated, declared Sir J. Ward, yesterday afternoon.' ;/.' The Prime Minister: Hear, hear! For many years past. Sir J. Ward said that too many impositions were put -uponi peoplp "whp invested their' money in mining. Ho 'thought that moro favourable •treatment should be accorded:toi mine ©wmeisi --as. well as to the men who -were'working in mines. : -' "". ''.,"' .♦ ■