COAL MINES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIII, Issue LIII, 30 October 1919, Page 3

COAL MINES.

AMENDMENT BILL BASSE!)

(By Telegraph. —Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON. T.iis Day

The Coal Mines Amendment Bill was put through its final stages ami passed after a, lengthy committee debate. Under the Bill Mm Minster proposed to take power to override if necessary the 1914 Act. which provides that only experienced miiuys will be used on (lie face in coal mines. This was regarded as a strike-break-ing proposal, and Labour memners opposed it strongly, say ng llmt the safety of the men and the miners must be considered.

Ultimately the Minister agreed to make the power dependent upon a recommendation of a Judge if the Supreme Court. after the taking of evidence, but this did not give satisfaction. The. clause, with the Minister « proviso, was retained, however, hy 33 to 19, as follows: —lor the clause (33), Allen, Anderson. Bollard, tnates, Ctaigie, ILck.son J. M., Field W. H-. liaSer Sir W., Guthrie. Harris, Henaie, Her ies, Hine. Isitt, Leo,' Luke, MeGalium, Mander," Massey. Myers, Nash Newman E., Nosworthy, Parr, Reed, Rhodes R. H., Rhodes L. H., Scott G. H., Smith R. W., Witty, Wright, Young. Against the clause (19): Amstey, BuddoV Fraser, Glover, Holland, denning. McCombs, Ngata, Payne, Russell Seddon, Semple, Sidey,, Smith S. G., Talbot, Veitch, Walter, Ward, W.dford. . . . The Railways Authorisation Bill was lassed., ■