CONDITIONS OF MINERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20242, 30 April 1929, Page 12

CONDITIONS OF MINERS.

INJURIES AND COMPENSATION REQUESTS MADE TO MINISTER. [its TEr.KG tlAl'ir. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] HAMILTON, Monday. A sympathetic, hearing was given by tho Minister of Mines, Hon. W. A. Veitch, (o several matters regarding workers' compensation and tho hearing of cases by tho Arbitration Court, which were brought under his notice by a deputation from tho lluntly Miners' Union this evening.

Amendment of tho Workers' Compensation Act in somo directions was asked for, and tho Minister replied (hat tho Labour Department was investigating sonic of the difficulties. Mr. Veitch also said lie had under consideration a method whereby compensation cases could bo heard more expeditiously by tho Arbitration Court than at present.

In speaking of compensation cases, Mr. J. O'Brien, president of the union, mado special reference to eye accidents, for which ho stated tho Act provided only for total injury. Irregularities in payments by insurance companies were also alleged. "It seems to mo tlio Arbitration Court is a little too cumbersome, causing delay in the hearing of cases," said tho Minister. "Compensation cases should bo left to tho Judge himself io decide, and his two associates could be employed in other ways. I am afraid tho working of the Court is falling behind that of other countries, and some, of tho minor amendments are becoming very pressing." Mr. Veitch promised to give the matters his attention,