A SERIOUS OUTLOOK.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 396, 4 January 1909, Page 4

A SERIOUS OUTLOOK.

The West Coast quartz miners and certain coal miners in the North have finally decided to go to extremes in the dispute which has arisen out of the amendments to the Workers' Compensation for Acci-' dents Act. It is not necessary to recapitulate the whole circumstances of the unfortunate position created by tho new liability'placed on the mine-owners.under the Act." The Govornmont included in the Act a, provision which mado mineowners liable to pay compensation to miners who contracted tho disease known as pneumoconiosis, and the mine-owners, to safeguard themselves as far as possible, decided that their employees in the mines must submit, themselves to a medical examination before resuming work. The men objected , to this examination, and it would seem that they have now made up their minds to refuse to resume work to-day, and the mines apparently are to'be closed down for an indefinite time. Neither sido has shown the least inclination to give, way, and the outlook in consequence is a serious one' fbr a great many people. The men blame the Government, and with' justice, for introducing this new bone of contention; but it is a little unkind to Ministers seeing that tho amendment wag designed to benefit the miners. It is,but another example of ladb of proper consideration in dealing vdth legislation affecting industrial life. Fresh obligations are imposod on employers'without any consideration of the effect they may have on the employee.' However, the question that interests the public at present moment ia the. possibilities attached to the unfortunate position created. AH attempts at settlement appear to have failed hopelessly. The trouble could have been smoothed over without any material loss to the men had. they seen their way te take advantage of Clause 17 of the Act, which enables them; under certain conditions, to contract themselves out of the privilege given them under the Act. They, however, declined to do this, and the way .to compromise seems, for.' the time being, to bo closed, It is a bad beginning foT tho New Year, and'a bad beginning for tho industrial legislation of last session. ■ ■ ■■'- ■