MINERS' DISEASE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13841, 22 December 1908, Page 5

MINERS' DISEASE.

ASERIOUS DISPUTE.

LOCKOUT THREATENED.

Per Press Association.

WELLINGTON, Dec. 21.

The Miners' Federation executive, which has been in conference in Wellington discussing the "miners complaint" question, has concluded its sitting. Tho executive endorsed the decision of the Inangahua Miners Union to strenuously resist any attempt made for the medical examination of miners. . The Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister for Labour, has been, in communication with the Reef ton mine owners, and received a telegram yesterday declining to accept any compromise whatever m the matter. . The Reef ton miners met on Thursday evening to consider the position. Serious trouble is expected after January 1, when, according to the terms set forth, no miners will be allowed into the mines unless armed with a doctor s certificate showing that they are free from "miners' complaint," or that they have signed an agreement -undertaking not to claim compensation on this account. The Miners' Federation expects that the men will remain firm. There are about nine thousand miners employed throughout the Dominion, and of this number six thousand are under the control of the Miners' Federation. The remainder, although they have not affiliated, are said to be in sympathy with the objects of the Federation. The present situation is scarcely governed by the strike clauses of the Arbitration Act, because in this instance the men will not refuse work but will not be accepted by the o^tiers unless they comply with the conditions. The case will, therefore, it is argued, be more in the nature of a lockout. The Miners' Federation has considered the question of financial assistance being rendered to those men who will find themselves out of employment. In doing this the Federation hblds that it would not bo "aiding and abetting" under the provisions of the Act, for no strike would exist. At present the trouble only affects Reef ton, but it may spread to other mining centres.