MINERS OUT OF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13846, 4 September 1908, Page 5

MINERS OUT OF WORK.

CLOSING THE CROWN MINE. STATEMENT BY MINISTERS. [BY TELEORAPH.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.] "Wellington, Thursday. The Minister for Labour (the Hon. J. A. Millar) on being seen to-night stated that he had not yet received any official information regarding the closing down of the Crown mine- at Karangahake. Mr. Lomaa, of the Labour Department, was, however, in the district inquiring into the matter, and Ire (the Minister) had telegraphed to him asking him to send full particulars of .what had occurred. In the absence of this information, Mr. Millar said he was unable to express any definite opinion '.i)>on the matter. He elated, however, that if the published account was correct proceedings would be taken against the Crown Company, charging them with a breach of the Workers Compensation Act in regard to the question of insurance. This, he said, would test the legality of the company's action, and if it was found that the company had been acting within its legal lights, air amendment would be made to the Workers Compensation Bill, now Nbefore Parliament, in order to meet the necessities of the case. The Minister for Mines (the Hon. J. McGowan) stated that the- matter was not one in which his Department would he able to take action. It was possible, .however, that employment on the roads would be. found by the Government for the miners thrown out of work by the closing of the mine. J ■. ■ ■