TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 38, 14 February 1905, Page 3

TRADES AND LABOUR CONFERENCE.

; COAL MIJiTNU CONDITIONS. IBy Telegrapn. —Fi-e*s Association.) ItKEPTOX. t!iL> day. j The Trades ami Labour Conference is i still sitting. Resolutions have been enr- ; tietl on sik-Ii matters a* the price of coal ; ti. miners, ( .f e-.ial sr. mine's I m<Tcth. usr of explosives, ncridenr insur- | ; juk-p fiiml. s:i.|:-r:ir;nuar:oa fnnd. iv , mines. windi\rs--_'eenJ3r:nss. etc. j regard to ventilation. Mr NeTrton (Bnmner) inored. '-TTiat all -mines be veatilated by fans, and that in ail miaes vrhere safety lamps are used it I sball be compnlsnrj- to hare a gas-tester at j the pit month. se> that a miner can test ! ai3 lamp before enterics the mine." This I was carried. J Mi- O"Lnn;:fciiii moved, "That any perßtm j to take ;i fireman's position in a mine ahali have at least tyro years' practical experience as a miner, and b<? compelled to pass an examination bj the Inspector of JOmem oa gases before he is altowea. to.

carry a closed lamp to detect sas. and have a thoroojch of timberlcs and ventilation." The motion was carried. The secretary of the Inansabca Miners' Union (Mr Betts) proposed. "That no rocimachine be permitted to be used iv any fcine uatess spray -water is at all times provided to keep down dust."' The motion was carried. Mr Betts moved another rßsoiution to the effect. 'Tint the following: be added to section B of section i of section 206 of tho Mining Act. 'At all times ventiLition should tie pro— ided to the extent of no less than 100 cubic feflt of pure air per mimite for each man awl youth. 150 cubtr feet of pnro air per minute for eich horsp .and r.ther animal, which shall sweep nndiminished alt>n.s the air-ways and on to enoh woridn? f.ice In the mine where mm are employed thereat" This he crrasMeTpd absolTttelj- necessary. He would take the m.irter off the hands of the inspector. Tvbo at present could not say whether a nlaee was STiQcientl.v -rcntilated. Several spe:Lk-ers-spoke in furonr of the motion, «vhicli was carried tmanlmoiHiy.