THE MINING TROUBLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 13948, 2 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINING TROUBLE.

A SERIOUS POSITION. ,

WAIKATO MINERS' RESOLUTION

[FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

Huntly, Friday. The miners employed by the Taupiri Coal Company, Limited, received notice on ceasing work last evening that they would be required to undergo a medical examination before resuming work on Monday, January 4. A meeting of the Waikato -Minors' Union was held the same evening, when the following resolution was passed and ordered to be sent to the manager: — "That we object to and will not undergo the medical examination as requested by the Taupiri Coal Company, Limited. Furthermore, we shall hold the company responsible for our wages whilst we are locked out, pending the decision of this matter.'' THE MINE OWNERS' STAND. [by telegraph —own correspondent.] Wellington, Friday. The secretary of the Employers' Federation (Mr. W. Pryor) has been advised by telegraph that- Auckland mine owners have resolved to insist upon medical examination of miners, and are prepared to support the West Coast owners in the stand they have taken. Ofcago mine owners have taken up the same position. "'the mine owners," said Mr. Pryor, "find themselves, on consideration, compelled to take this attitude, as those mine owners not insisting upon examination will probably find themselves saddled with the rejects from other mines, and possibly with undesirables from Australia and South Africa." "SOMEONE HAS BLUNDERED." [BY TELEGRAPH-—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Dunedin, Friday. Writing in the Otago Daily Times, Mr. David K. Pritchard, who was a conspicuous figure in the Blackball strike, and who is at present in Dunedin, deals with the present coal mining difficulty. In the course of his communication, he says: — "When one bears in mind the fact that the mining laws of the Transvaal provide for two shafts, whereas in the Dominion our laws only provide for one, there is not much doubt as to the certainty of a mine becoming speedily contaminated with phthisis in New Zealand. The miners become affected with this disease through inhaling the smoke of powerful explosives used to rend rocks, and tine quartz dust, which is almost continually circulating through the mine. Once this dust gets settled internally no medical power can ren.ove it. I have already said it is nonpreventible, but still a great deal could be done to lengthen the lives of those already slightly affected . with it, and to mitigate its evil influence amongst those young men just entering on mining life. How? By the installation of artificial ventilation, the same as is required by the law in every coal mine. This, of course, would mean increased expenditure, but sweat runs easier than fans, and human souls are cheap. Now, however, a deadlock seems imminent, and if I know anything of the spirit of the miners on the West Coast, there is every probability that trouble will arise unless some reasonable compromise is established. ' " The Prime Minister advises the men to accept medical examination—'it will only be one examination'— if the assumption of the Miners' Federation is correct, what is he going to do to provide work for the 50 per cent, of miners who would consequently be rejected. I admit the position is serious, and some one has blundered."