TRADES AND LIBOR COUNCIL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 20 February 1901, Page 4

TRADES AND LIBOR COUNCIL.

Tuesday, February 19m

The council resumed at 2 p m,

The following were present-. Messrs J. Poster and Patz, Denniston. „ H. Betts and J. Green, Eeefton

„ R. Russell and H. Coppersmith, Brunner.

„ W. Dent and Maddison, Granity, „ F. Shaw, Westport. „ A. Leacli, Blackball.

Resolved after long discussion that the question of drafting amendments to clause 72 of the Act stand over till tomorrow.

The President moved that all solid coal be cut and holed before being shot down. The shooting of coal caused impure air, while the coal was much injured, so that it would he better for the miners and public. He held, too, that the height should not be more than 0 feet. They were hewing as much as 14feet. Mr Leech could not agree with the resolution in every instance. Mr Russell would agree with the rosolution if it applied to where machinery was used.

Mr Hill thought the cutting was mere waste of time.

Mr Coppersmith favored the resolution. If ever the Wallscnd Mine was opened again, he was perfectly satisfied that all coal must be cut to make it workable and profitable. Mr Hill did not think the resolution would meet with general approval; indeed, it would he hardship in some places. Resolution put and carried by 7 to 4 votes.

Mr Pat/, moved that the Act be so amended as to make Government pay check inspectors.—Carried.

Mr Betts objected to the men in a mine being appointed inspectors. In his opinion, the Union was the proper authority to appoint. The appointees would thou be independent men who did not fear mine proprietors and were beyond the reach of reprisals. Mr Pate thought it spoke very little for the men if they could not get two independent inspectors in a mine. Consideration held over.

The President moved that all boords be opened 12 feet wide and then taken out to the full width, so as to give stability to the pillars and keep up the roof. Seconded by Mr Coppersmith, who said the system was maintained in the Grey District.—Carried unanimously.

Mr Leech moved that in the Eight hours the principal should he from bank to bank and four hours on Saturday. Seconded by Mr Coppersmith. Mr Betts thought the Government had broken their pledge to the labor party in this matter. In his opinion the Liberal Party hail never made a sincere ellort to get the Bill passed. Mr Patz endorsed the opinion of Mr Betts in regard to Government neglect in regard to the Eight Hours Bill, Resolution put and carried unanimously. The President moved that a monster petition he got up to be presented to Parliament upon this subject, the matter to he brought before the Associated Trades Conference to he held shortly at Wellington.—Carried. Mr Betts moved that the recommendation made by the Associated Trades Council in the Eight Hours Bill, 1899, he approved of. Seconded by Mr Green and carried.

Mr Betts moved that it is desirable that the Labor Party should be represented on Harbor Boards. He found that all classes there except Labor and this he held was wrong.

Mr Patz seconded the resolution, holding it to be a stop in the right direction.—Carried unanimously.

Mr Leech gave notice of motion that to-morrow he would move to rescind the resolution passed making the cutting of coal compulsory.

The Council hero adjourned till 9 30 to-morrow.