TELEGRAMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 11 April 1921, Page 1

TELEGRAMS.

VARIOUS DOMINION ITEMS.

.JU.EGHAPH—:PER PRESS ASSOCIATION]

COAL MINERS.

QUESTION OF QUALIFYING

WELLINGTON, April 9

A question to the Alinister for Alines given notice of last session by Air J. R. Hamilton (Awarua) was: “Whether in view of the likelihood of unemployment and the large amount of coal being imported, he will establish a mine or give facilities for men to qualify as miners?” “At present,” added the honourable member, “it, is necessary in order to qualify to get a qualified miner to train him. If this country bad a sufficient number of qualified miners, there would bo no need to import coal at a considerably higher price than what it can be supplied from our own mines.” . “The Government.” replied the Hon J. G. Anderson, “has been, and is still engaged in developing two additional State coal mines, one of which is situated in the AYest Coast of the South Island, and the other irt the Waikato district of the North Island, and when these new collieries are brought to the output stage additional minors will then 1,0 required, which would absorb any unemployed miners then looking foi work. , • r ‘lt is necessary in the interests. of safety that each place in a coal mine should bo worked by a pair of hewers s „ that in the event of an accident happening to one of them the other would be available to render him first ■,,id or seek first aid from outside. It is nlso imperative that the man in 'barge of the place should be an experienced miner. The matter of allowing younger minors to qualify for woi \- ing 'in the faces in these mines will bo considered, but there are. practical difli•ulties in tlio way.”