GOLD MINING LEGISLATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23364, 2 December 1937, Page 9

GOLD MINING LEGISLATION

MINISTER’S WORK PRAISED GRADUATES OF OTAGO SCHOOL MR HAMILTON EXPRESSES CONCERN (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. Dec, 1. Satisfaction that the Minister of Mines (Mr P, C. Webb) in his efforts to bring the gold mining legislation up to date had endeavoured to consult the interests of the industry as a whole was expressed by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr A. Hamilton) during the debate .on the Mining Amendment Bill in the House of Representatives to-day.

“ The Minister has told us that he has endeavoured to work in harmony with the industry, both the employers and the workers,” Mr Hamilton said, “ That is all to the good, and . I think that some other Ministers might well take a lesson from him in endeavouring to work for the benefit of the industry as a whole, and not just for one section of it.” The improved safety measures included in the Bill could only be welcomed, Mr Hamilton said. Last year 5183 men were employed in the gold mines of New Zealand and accidents had. resulted in eight men being killed and five more seriously injured. The industry was not as dangerous as coal mining, but for all that anything which would mean a further safeguard to human life should be supported. A more serious aspect of the case was provided by the fact that every year there were about 119 cases of men breaking down in health through miners’ phthisis. If the Bill assisted in clearing up the dust problem it would be doing a great service. Mr Hamilton said the only objection he had received concerning the Bill came from local bodies, who were concerned at the proposed deduction of 10 per cent, from the goldfields revenue to cover the cost of collection -by the State. The Government already enjoyed a large revenue from the gold export fax. Mr Webb: That goes to the Consolidated Fund. Loss of Mining Engineers “ We are always complaining that we are losing a lot of our university men,” Mr Hamilton contmued. “ We have a degree from the Otago School of Mines which qualifies a yoUng man for a mining job in any part of the world. A man holding that degree is recognised to have the highest qualifications, and every effort should be made to retain the services of such men. The Bill is more likely to drive them out of New Zealand than anything else, as it may impose further difficulties in the matter of qualifying. It is questionable if a young man holding this certificate will be able to get a job in his own country under as favourable conditions as are offered in Siam, South Africa, and other parts of the world. This is a question which could well be considered by the Government.” Replying to the debate, the Minister said he agreed with Mr Hamilton that many of the mining engineers had not been paid wnat they were worth to the country, with the result that New Zealand had lost, a number of very valuable students. Anything he could do to rectify that state of affairs would be done. The Mines Department offered six very valuable scholarships annually and Otago University could claim the credit for turning out some of the finest mining students in the world.