TROUBLE AT AUCKLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2860, 6 January 1909, Page 25

TROUBLE AT AUCKLAND.

AUCKLAND, January 4. In consequence of the clause * which throws the responsibility upon mineownere of having to pay compensation in cases of miners' complaint a serious deadlock has arisen in connection with the coal mining industry in the Auckland district. The various mine-owners have taken up the stand that the liability involved is top ' "heavy and too uncertain for them tdt undertake by continuing to employ men suffering from the disease in question, > unless such men sign agreements not to claim in respect' of that particular disease. This decision has been emphasised by the; insurance companies (including the Govern-* ment Accident Insurance Department) de-< dining to take the additional risk. The coal companies having given instructions that no men are to be emplo.yed vrh^ "have not been medically examined, tha miners in the Whangarei and Huntly dis« tricts have refused) to undergo the examination. The mines were to have resuraecl, work to-day, but ia each case the miners,; failed to take up their duties, ami coat i mining in the district is therefore at a. j standstill until some solution is arrived ;

Ivt. Supplies being short, an advance in 4fche - price of coal is predicted, r "Representations are being made to the j&overnment by the Employers' Association Id end the deadlock.