COAL MINES BILL

Otago Witness, Issue 3419, 26 September 1919, Page 26

COAL MINES BILL

SOME IMPORTANT PROVISIONS.

MINISTER'S POWERS INCREASED

(From Our Own Correspondent) WELLINGTON, September 24. The Coal Mines Act Amendment Bill, which was introduced in the- House of Representatives to-day. provides that the Minister of Mines may call upon the owner or occupier of any coalbearing lands to commence coal mining operations thereon within any specified time, being not less than six months, and to continue such operations on an adequate ecaie to the satisfaction of the Minister. _ If the notice is not complied with, and if the laud is taken within two years for a public work, the compensation payable shall not exceed twice the value of the land as recorded in the valuation roll or a corresponding sum in the' case of an interest less than the fee simple. The Bill a'xo provides that the Minister of Mines may undertake prospecting operations on Crown or private land. The consent of the owners or occupiers will be required in the case of private land. The Minister is empowered to purchase or hire vessels that may bo required for the carriage of coal derived,from the State mines. These vessels will be used primarily for the carriage of coal, but may carry passengers and goods. An important clause provides that the Minister of Mines may require coal mineowners to provide accommodation for miners and their families. The accommodation must be suitable in the opinion of the Minister, and must be provided _ on such terms and conditions as the Minister may approve. Failure to comply wtih a notice under this section will render the mineowner liable to a fine of £SO, with an additional £5 for each day during which the failure, continues.

"The Coal Mines Act, 1914," provided that a miner shoidd not be put in charge of any place in a mine unless he was at least 21 years of age and had had at least three years-' experience in underground coalmining, of which at least one year had been at the face with an experienced miner. This provision is now made subject to the following provision:—''Except by consent of the Minister."

The Bill proposes a number of machinery amendments to tho Coal Mines law.

GOVERNMENT'S POWERS EXTENDED. (From Oub Own Coreespondent.) WELLINGTON, September 24-.

Tho Mining Act Amendment Bill proposes to extend the power of the Government to make advances to persons_ and companies for the development of mining-. The purposes for which loans may be made are extended to include the following:—(1) Quarrying or coal mining operations, including the purchase of plant, construction of roads, railway lines, or other means of access, and all other incidental matters; (2) the extraction, rectification, storage, and transport of oil derivable or derived from swamp or other land; (5) the erection, construction, or repair of dwellings by the owners of any coal mine for the use of employees. Applications for loans are to be referred to a board, which the Minister of Mines is empowered to appoint. The Government's authority to borrow for the development of mining is increased to £50,000 per annum, and the amount that may be granted by way of loan to any one applicant is increased to £20,000. The Bill provides that prospecting and boring for mineral oil or natural gas shall not be conducted except under license" issued by the Minister. The conditions of the license will be defined by regulations. The Bill proposes various amendments designed to secure increased safety in mines, and gives the Minister increased authority in dealing with water-races used for mining purposes. Provision is made for the protection of the surface of agricultural and pastoral land threatened by mining operations.