THE MINING CRISIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2861, 13 January 1909, Page 28

THE MINING CRISIS.

PROSPECT OF SETTLEMENT. PROPOSAL BY~~THE CABINET. OFFER TO ACCEPT THE RISK. AMENDING LEGISLATION PROMISED. TELEGRAM FROM THE MINISTER. REEFTON, January 5. The Caledonian miners referred to last night were allowed to return to work, bufc objection wjas taken by the union on account of two non-unionists being included among them. These joined the union, and were permitted to work. The mining companies asked the union x if it would allow caretakers over the mines and batteries, but this request was refused. Statistics which have been gathered show that over 850 men are affected. A large number of casual hands employed are not required to submit to medical examination, but still they did not resume work. Interesting telegraphic communications between the Minister of Labour and Mr P. J. O'Regan are published in the Inangahua Times. The Minister, in a lengthy wire, says the suggestion that the Government should undertake the insurance practically asks the Government to give a blank cheque to cover all caßes .of miners' phthisis at the present time, as once compensation is guaranteed the moment any sign of disorder is proved to exist the Government will be called on to pay. It is impossible, therefore, for the Government to undertake an unknown liability, and he regretted that it was impossible to comply with the request. The money was the property of the people of New Zealand as a whole, and required to be used accordingly, whereas Parliament intended that- the mine-owner receiving the profit of the miner's labour should indemnify the man against injury caused through a disease incidental to the work. Mr Millar said he saw no way of preventing the trouble except both sides waiving the provisions of the clause affecting the question until Parliament met. If this could not be arranged, what must be must be. He was sorry to hear of the threatened trouble, but the Government could not be placed in a false position. In the course of his reply Mr O Regan, points out that there are no liabilities until incapacity takes place, and this must take place, according to the act, within 12 months after contracting the disease; hence the blank cheque is subject to so many endorsements that the risk is absurdly exaggerated. He also considers that the case has not been honestly placed before the public, seeing that the object of the medical examination is to obtain an indemnity against not only the miners' disease, but against every physical defect. This means that the act is rendered useless. Even if the men contracted out of the miners' disease the owners would not then be satisfied, but would demand a complete indemnity under section 17. It has gone forth to the public that the difficulty solely rests on the miners' complaint. Mr O'Regan comments strongly on the Government Insurance Department demanding an examination in coal mines, when everyone ought, to know that miner's phthisis does not affect coal miners. The Government Insurance Department haa issued a circular to the coal mineowners in this district cancelling its contracts unless a medical examination is < held on employees now working, to be engaged, or re-engaged. The coal mine owners here resent the conditions, as coal miners' phthisis is not prevalent in coal mines. A combination is raising the price •* coal. (Faou Ova Own Cobbespondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 5. Twenty men employed by the tributers of the Golden Fteece mine have ceased work,' their employers being unable to induce any insurance company to accept the risks. This makes the total number of men now out 858.