WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 66

WORKERS' COMPENSATION.

'• MINERS' COMPLAINT.'

CFrom Our Own Corbespondent.) GREYMOUTH, December 7.

An interesting problem has arisen in connection with the Reefton mines. It appears that section 10 of " The Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 1908," provides, among other things, that mining companies shall be liable to pay compensation for a dieeaso commonly known as " miner's complaint," which, is very common amongst quartz miners. In effect the word "accident"' has been so extended a.« to include " miner's complaint." Owing to the increased liability the companie° resolved to institute a system of medical examination of workers in their employ on and after January 1. This decihion has been received with unanimous disapprovel by minens, and the executive of the New Zealand Miners' Federation is to be called together at once to deal with the matteT.

It may be explained that a system of medical examination is insisted upon by. the Westport Coal Company, and has frequently been strenuously objected to by the miners.

" What is the cause of the late potato season this year?" - was the query propounded to a prominent Maeterton farmer who goes in extensively for potato culture. The reply was that the heavy frosts had given the potato crop a eevere eet-l>ack, with the consequence that new potatoes ar« weeks later on the market this yoar..