STATE MINES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12754, 25 September 1919, Page 8

STATE MINES.

EXTENDING OPERATIONS. VESSELS MAY BE BOUGHT. fPsa Peess Association.] . M ELLINGTON, September 24. _ Included in the provisions of the Coal Mines Amendment Bill are a number of additional precautions against the liability of accidents in mines and for the protection of working miners. Several clauses of tho Bill are devoted to the investment and use of a Sick and Accident Fund and a Coal Mines Relief Fund. - . Any moneys not immediately . required for the purposes of these funds may be invested with the Public Trustee or in New Zealand Government endowment securities. While the purposes for which these moneys may be expended are extended to the Coal Miners’ Medical Fund, it is also, provided that payments from the Sick-and Accident Fund may, in even of I death of a coal, miner, be made, in tho case of an unmarried man. to any near relatives who were wholly or partially dependent on him at the date of his death. The. Bill , provides for the acquisition of -private lands for purposes of State coal mines. Including sites for dwellings, recreation halls and other buildings. Power is given the Minister of Mines-, to'require owners of coal-bearing lands-to work them for coal before the expiry of six months’ notice, and if the land'in question is taken by the Crown through the owners’ failure to comply with the notice, compensation, shall not exceed twice the value of the ' land as, vended in the district valuation, foil,, or an amount in proportion to the maximum compensation as the value of estate, or interest bears to the value of the fee simple. ' The' Minister is also given power to Undertake prospecting operations, while 'ft further important section gives him power to acquire vessels for the car- , nage of coal from the State coal mines. Under this section “all vessels acquired ... by the. Minister shall be used primarily for. thq carriage of coal derived from State -.coal mines,- but may also be used . for carriage of passengers and - goods at such rates and on such conditions as ■ may from, -time to time be prescribed by ; the Governor-General in Council hr regulations, or, in default of such regulations. Us may be fixed by the Minister. All moneys received by the Minister by way of fares, freight or other charges under this section shall be paid - * l }^°' State coal mines account,- and ■ aB moneys expended for the purposes of : this section shall be paid out of that ■' account.” The Bill gives the Minister power also to require coal mine owners, to provide ■ accommodation for miners and their families, the penalty for non-compliance being liability to a £SO fine nnj a fur- , they fine- of £5 for every day dtfrute which such failure continues. ’ °