MEETING AT BLACKBALL.

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

MEETING AT BLACKBALL.

THE MINERS FIRM. (From Oue Own Cohhespondent.) GREYMOUTH, January 3. Speaking at Blackball last night, Sir Sample (president of the Miners' Federation) said it would be next tg impossible to claim for pneumoconiosis, as a claimant would have to prove within 12 months, whereas medical experts were of the opinion that a man might suffer from? the disease for a lengthy period without knowing it. The union passed the following resolution unanimously :— " That this meeting of the Blackball workers congratulate the Federation of Miners, the members of theInangahua Miners' Undon, and the Waikato miners on the Btand they have taken upon the question of a medical examination for employees, and promise both! moral and financial support for tliose who are locked out through the unjust dewiMi/iLs upon the pait of the mine-owuera*

we are of opinion, seeing that the " Government has at last realised the fieoessifcy of making provision for those suffering from industrial diseases and that tb© private insurance companies refuse to take risks under clause 10 of the .Workers' Compensation Act, that it is incumbent on the Government to see that the Tiaks are taken, as the extra risk would be infinitesimal. Furthermore, this meeting urges upon the Government the injustice of clause 17 of the a-ct, as it nullifies the whole of the working of the act."