COAL INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22877, 4 November 1937, Page 13

COAL INDUSTRY

CONDITIONS IN MINES AMENDMENTS TO THE ACT NUMEROUS PROVISIONS EMPLOYMENT AND SAFETY [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Wednesday Numerous provisions for the supervision of the coalmining industry are included in the Coal Mines Amendment Bill which was introduced in the House of Representatives to-day by Governor-General's Message. According ■to- a statement made by the Minister of Mines', the Hon. P. C. Webb, the new measure embraces suggestions which have been fully discussed with representatives of employers • and workers in the industry. At present the only penalty which can be imposed for a breach of a mining lease is the actual cancellation of the lease by the Minister. An amending clause in the bill provides for a lesser penalty in cases which aro not regarded as serious and will enable the inspector of mines to take Court action against lessees. Holders ol Mining Bights Another amendment will permit the holder of a coalmining right to surrender part of his right without the necessity for surrendering the whole of it and then applying for a new right over the portion which he desires to retain.

A prohibition is to bo placed on the employment of persons under 23 years of age as managers, underviewers and firemen-deputies in coal mines. It is also provided that the certificates of competency field by underviewers or firemen-deputies must be periodically endorsed bv the inspector of mines in order to ensure that the men are capable of carrying out their duties efficiently. Restrictions 011 the employment of women and boys are to be relaxed in order to permit the employment of femalo nurses and charwomen and of females and bovs under 16 years of age in clerical work. However," boys under the ago of 10 years will not be permitted to work underground. Sunday Work Prohibited An absolute restriction is placed on Sunday work in coal mines. At present no miner can be employed 011 a Sunday, but this prohibition does not apply in the case of co-operative parties. The prohibition is now to be made general. The bill also requires the installation of weighbridges at mines where the wages of the men are computed on the basis of the weight of the coal mined. Exemptions in special cases may be authorised bv the Minister.

Plans are to be provided for all underground workings of coal mines and there is to be statutory obligation for the provision of better ventilation, protection against inclement weather, systematic timbering and preventive measures against the accumulation of coal dust. The use of internal combustion engines underground is to be prohibited. Transport ol Workmen

Another clause lowers the percentage of inflammable gas in the general body of the air from 2] per cent to 2 per cent, at which stage workmen must be withdrawn from the mine. Union secretaries are to be empowered to call for the pay dockets of workmen and amendments are included in the bill dealing with the qualifications of workmen's inspectors. There is also provision for the appointment of a workmen's national inspector by the united mine workers of New Zealand. Mine owners are to bo required to contribute toward the cost of transporting workmen to and from mines, although this provision will be exercised at the discretion of the Minister. Developing State Mines Authority is to be given for increased borrowing powers for the development of State coal mines. At present borrowing for this purpose is limited by the Act to £250.000, and this is to bo increased by the bill to £330,000. It is understood that the additional £50,000 is required to develop the new State mine at present being opened up 011 the West Coast. There is an extension of the power to make regulations to ensure the safetv of workmen.

"I have discussed the proposals in full with the mining interests before introducing the bill," said Mr. Webb, speaking on the introduction of the bill. "Actually there is nothing very far-reaching in the bill, the provisions of which have been practically agreed to bv the representatives of the employers and the miners." The bill was read a second time pro forma and referred to the Mines Committee.

SLACK COAL PROBLEM

SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT

UNIFORM MESH FOR SCREENS

[llY TKLKCIt A I'll —SrW'TAL HV.roHTF.ll] WELLINGTOX, Wednesday

Reference to the slack coal problem was made by the Minister of Mines, the Hon. I'. C. Webb, 011 the introduction of the Coal Mines Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day.

Replying to a question by the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, the .Minister said that at one time lie had proposed to bring down legislation to cope with the problem. After conferences with the employers in the AVaikato, where the slack coal problem was most serious, he had decided not to take that action. Instead ho had suggested that as an experiment the mines should adopt a uniform mesh for screens. There had been some difference of opinion, but ho had pointed out plainly to the proprietors that unless they agreed he would draw up legislation. The experiment was undertaken and as a result the problem in the Waikato had been solved, Air. Webb continued. So much progress had been made that there was even talk of a shortage of slack coal. All the companies in the South, with one exception, had also agreed to use the uniform mesh. However, if the occasion arose and the companies did not play the game he would have no compunction about asking the House to agree to legislation.