BRITISH MINES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3455, 1 June 1920, Page 20

BRITISH MINES.

(By Cable.) LONDON, May 26. - The report of the committee on the possibilities of non-ferrous mining in the United Kingdom recommends the centralisation in one organisation of all departmental duties relating to non-feiTOUs mining. It urges this organisation immediately to undertake geological and statistical work. It also recommends the adoption of the 1914 Commission's proposals relative to the health and safety of workers in mines, and the compulsory deposit with the ■ Department of Mines of both surface and underground plans of all mines, on the lines of the South African practice. The report further suggests that the above-mentioned organisation should undertake certain functions which the dominions regard as falling within the scope of the Government, although never so regarded in the United Kingdom—as for instance, advice regarding the development of mines, also an improvement of the existing methods. An important recommendation is that the Government should take powers analogous to those of the dominions, and extend financial assistance to mines so as to. enable them to surmount difficulties and undertake approved exploration and development.