THE ESTIMATES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1854, 13 September 1913, Page 6

THE ESTIMATES.

MINING VOTE DISCUSSED, THE " DOG WATCH."',' I'ho House went into Committee, at 3.50 p.m. ■ On the item, "Mines Department, £33,850"— , ... Mr. H. Poland urged that a Mining Bill ought to be introduced this year. Mr. i'Yascr said that a Bill would bo brought down this session, and that it was at present being prepared.Mr. Poland said a Bill was necessary to increase the powers of mining inspectors to insist upon vontilation and sani- ' tation in mines, for in this ho believed ' was the only possible roliof from tho 1 curse of mining, miners' phthisis. Medi- * cal inspectors should bo appointed, also. 1 who could save men already afflicted ' with the disease from further risking , their lives in gold mines. . J Tho Hon. W. Fraser, in replying t<> E Mr Poland and othcra, said that it was not' true that the 'mining industry was not being cared for by him. Quito obviously it was tho aim of lion, gentlemen to make it appear that lie was i,eglecting tho industry, but the fact was that mining was being given as much attention by the Government as it'bad ever Itad before. Ho assured thorn that a Bill would I be brought down this session, and that it would bo passed this session. In the 0 Bill ho had provided that the fund lor e tho reliof of miners suffering from i- pneumoconiosis and for tho relief of E minors genorally should be devoted il wholly to those suffering from pnetimot coniosis. Ho had discovered when he a took offico that tho fund was depleted, t- and when he had proposed to atronirtlion y it by tie paymont of £1000 to too Pub.

lie Trustee, found that this would bo useless because it. would all liave been absorbed in tho payment of arrears arrears in tho payment of funeral expenses to widows whoso husbands had died seven or eight years ago. Mr. 11. Poland urged that the niglit shift, or, as it was called, tho "dog watcli," in mines, should be abolished as being unhealthy for employees and unprofitable for employers. Jlr. P. 0. Webb supported tie request. There could be no peace in tho mining industry until this "graveyard shift" was abolished, lio asked also that it be made illegal for any miner to bo required to work alone at a faec. Mr. T. W. Rhodes said ho was in sympathy with the movement for the abolition of the night shift. He suggested also that a Mining Board should be set up to advise the Government. The need for change-houses and bathrooms for tho workers tin mines was pressed by Mr. H. Poland and Mr. P. C. Webb. The Hon. W. Fraser said tho questions that had been urged would be brought before tho Gold-fields Committco wtlieii tho Mining Bill was under consideration. Evidence of miners and mine managers would bo called, and as a result he hoped the Bill to be finally passed, by the House would be the most satisfactory possible. Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon brought under the notice of tho Minister the allegation that miners in a West Coast mine wore compelled by the company to use a cheap explosive which gave off poisonous and sickening fumes. So bad wero the fumes, that men had had to bo dragged from tho face i\n a fainting condition. Tho Hon. W. Frasoi said tho matter had not previously been represented to his Department, but he had given instructions that inquiries bo made concerning it.