COAL INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22893, 23 November 1937, Page 13

COAL INDUSTRY

IMPROVING CONDITIONS SAFETY IN THE MINES CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES [BV TKLEGHAPII— SPECIAL HEPOKTEH] ELLIXG TOX, Monday "If this bill is passed in its present form 1 think we will be entitled to say that wo have one of the best coalmining Acts in tho world," said the Alinister of Alines, the lion. P. C. Webb, during tho debate on the Coal Alines Amendment Bill in tho House of Representatives to-day. He added that even without the bill New Zealand s coalmining legislation was among the best in the world. There wore only three or four clauses in tho bill which were likely to .uouse discussion, the Alinister said, as the greater part of tho bill consisted merely of machinery to clarify tho Coal Alines Act as it stood at present. W lien the bill was in committee ho would be pleased to explain the individual clauses. The Penalty Under Leases "It has been the Government's policy for a long time to encourage the conservation of as much of tho country's coal resources as possible," Air. Webb continued. "At the same time, we are paying attention to tho requirements of safety. Lnder ordinary conditions, as the Act stands, tlio only penalty provided for a breach of the conditions of a lease is cancellation of the lease, but we have decided that that is too drastic, and there is power in the bill for inspectors of the Mines Department to take action against a company and • claim a less severe penalty. This will give the inspectors the right to have the mines worked in a way that will mean security to the miners and at the same time tho conservation of the coal.

"Up to the present nearly as much coal has beeu left underground as has been taken out of the mines, with the result that hundreds of thousands of tons have been wasted."

'llie said ho had gone into the question with the con! owners and representatives of the miners, and they had agreed that the clause was necessary. Following that ho had had a conference with his inspectors, and after a thorough discussion and another conference almost every clause in the bill had been agreed to by a majority of those represented. , No Serious Objections The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton: "Were there any serious objections? The Minister: No. There were two new clauses in the bill, Mr. Webb said. One dealt with travelling time and gave the Minister power to insist 011 owners providing a proportion of travelling expenses or accommodation for the miners. Under the present Act the Minister could require the coal owners to provide accommodation near the mines for the men, but he proposed to amend it to include travelling time. The development of transport made it more desirable that men should live in established towns where there were amenities for themselves and their families, rather than in settlements around the mines, the Minister continued, since they could easily travel to and from their work. The "Westport Coal Company, for instance, had previously built some houses for its men, hue now it found it more convenient to have them travel to and from the mine. It paid 8d a man a dav for transport, while the men paid 4d each. The amendment was in conformity with established practice at present.

Companies' Co-operation The Minister referred to the excellent results that had attended the adoption of a uniform screen in the mines in the Waikato and stated that, clue to the conservation brought about, the slack coal problem there had been solved in three months. There seemed to be a demand in Southland for uniform screening, although one company was not desirous of stepping into line, but a new clause in the bill which had not been referred to the conference would empower him to arrange a conference to improve the conditions in a similar way in the South. In conclusion, Mr. Webb expressed his appreciation of the assistance he had received from the coalmining companies since ho had come into office. They had co-operated with him 100 per cent, and he thought they would agree that he had met them in the same spirit.

LABOUR FINANCE

ATTITUDE TO INTEREST COMMENTS BY MR. HAMILTON [by TEIjEGRATH —special reporter] "WELLINGTON, Monday "This Government objects to interest, yet it is a great borrower." said the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. A. Hamilton, in discussing provisions in the Finance Bill in the House of Representatives to-night. The Government, said Mr. Hamilton, was giving itself authority to borrow to the extent of £8,000,000. The Minister of Finance, the Hon. W. Nash, had told the House that all the money might not lie needed this financial year, but it would be interesting to see just how much was borrowed before the session ended. The payment of interest was anathema to the Labour Party, yet it did not object to borrowing. The Prime Minister, Mr. Savage: There is no objection expressed in this bill is there? Mr. Hamilton: Xo, but the objection has been freely voiced by members of your party. Some of them have snid they hope to live to see the day when no interest will be paid in this country

WORKING UNDERGROUND

SYMPATHY FOR BOYS HON. R. SEMPLE'S MEMORIES [bv telegraph—special reporter] WELLINGTON, Monday "1 went into a mine when I was 9} years of age," said the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, during the debate on the Coal Mines Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day. "1 have my own memories of those days." the Minister added, "and I have real sympathy for the bov who lias to struggle underground in the dark." ** Mr. Semple commended the clause in the bill lifting the age at which boys may be employed underground in coal mines from 14 to 16 years. Even to-day. he said, the conditions were such that the work was not easy for a boy aged 16 years.

The underground planning of coal mines was something which should have been enforced years ago, Mr. Seniple continued. In the past about 50 per cent of coal had been lost through inefficient methods. The strict observance of safety measures was also essential and the new precautions provided in the bill would ba most welcome.