“MINERS’ COMPLAINT.”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6704, 30 December 1908, Page 6

“MINERS’ COMPLAINT.”

CHE PREMIER AND THE WORKERS.

INTERCHANGE OF MESSAGES

Tho following telegrams have passed between Sir Joseph Ward and Hr bSemple, president of tho Miners T'oilornhon at Reefton : From Mr Sornplo to Sir Joseph Ward A mass meeting of Reefton gold tninorn was hold on December iMth, when it was unanimously agreed to resist proposed medical examination. Companies equally determined to oaforco same. All E reliabilities' of industrial conflict. Six undrod miners affected. Gan you suggest way out of difficulty? . Prom Sir Joseph "Ward to Mr bemple j—l reply to your telegram of yesterday. I havo been making all inquiries, with tho object of trying to effect some settlement of this difficult question, but find it almost impossible without Parliamentary sanction. Tho liability, of minors’ phthisis was thrown on the mine owners by Parliament, but tho position is that tho insurance companies decline to accept nay risk without examination, on tho ground that tho ■extent of tho disease is unknown, and that they therefore have no other moans of ascertaining tho risk which they are asked to carry. This question does not affect Keeftou alone, it applies to all miners in Now Zealand, and the liability irvoiced is very groat. Without examination it is impossible to ascertain what really would bq the responsibility, and it therefore appears to me that in their awn interests the miners would do well to allow tho examination to take place. This would afford the necessary information requisite to consider the whole position, so that, if necessary, tho Government would be in a position to place tho quo-turn before Parliament, anti allow Parliament an opportunity of seeing what can ho done. I regret that as far as one can seo we havo no power to go further than this, and I trust that yon will endeavour to induce the minora to accept examination, anil thus suable a temporary settlement, at. any rate, to bo arrived at. It cun only bo ■mo examination, because if a man has not got tho disease at tho present time and goes back to work in tho mine any development thereafter entitles him to compensation. I am anxious to help the miners, but they, with yon, will seo that tho position is an exceedingly difficult one. J. G. WARD.