HUNTLY DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2280, 14 October 1914, Page 8

HUNTLY DISASTER

CASE OP UNEMPLOYED MINERS. The closing of the Huntly coal mines vas referred to in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon by Mr. G. W. Russell, who pointed out that 500 lren had thus been thrown out of employment, and that it would probably be about sis weeks or two months before it would be possible for the mines to be leopened. He asked the Minister of Public "Works whether he could see his way to increase the number of men employed on Government works in the vicinity of Huntly by providing ten> porary employment for the miners who bad been thrown out of work. He also asked to what extent the families whom the late disaster had deprived of their breadwinners were being assisted from the coal-mines relief hind. The Minister of Public Works (the Hon. W. Fraser) said that the administration of the relief fund was in the hands of the Public Trustee He would inquire as to what was being done in the matter, and make a statement later on. As to work for the miners, he pointed out that to find employment for 600 men in.the vicinity of Huntly was no easy matter. He had already put as many men a,s could be employed on the only work availablo in tho vicinity. The mines bad been closed because f> doubt had been expressed as to whether the explosive used in the past was safe. This matter had been brought under hie notice by the Taupiri Company. This was a matter that would have to be referred to an Arbitration Court in accordance with tho law. He would take eteps to set up that Court, which would consist of experts in such matters. It' was possible that the decision of this Court would-be such as to avoid the necessity of stopping work in the mines until explosives were obtained from Home. He could not express any opinion upon this matter himeolf. He would at once make inquiries as to what work was available in the neighbourhood ol Huntly to put men on. TRADES HALL RELIEF FUND. The joint secretaries (Messrs. L. M. A. Roardon and J. Read) acknowledge the following amounts :— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged ... 1068 8 7 Collection by D. AY. Coleman, Gisborne 100 0 0 Manawatu - Flax Workers' Union 5 0 0 Bookbinders' Union 3 3 0 •Total 1176 11 7 "THE DOMINION" RELIEF FUND. A fund for the relief of sufferers in tlie Huntly disaster is now open at The Dominion Office. Wo have to acknowledge the following donations: — ■ ■ ■ •■.■■£ -s. d. Previously acknowledged ... 33 12 0