Parliament.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 3, 16 October 1914, Page 2

Parliament.

THE CLOSING OF THE MINES. The closing of the Huntly coal mines was referred to in the House this afternoon by Mr Russell (Avon), who pointed that 500 men had thus been thrown out of employment and that it would probably be about six weeks or two months before it would be possible for the mine to be reopened. He asked the Minister for Public Works whether he could see his way to increase the number of men employed on Government Works m the vicinhy of Huntly by providing temporary employment for the miners who had been thrown out of work. He also asked to what extent the families whom the late disaster haddeprived of their bread-win-ners were being assisted from the Coal Mines Relief Fund. The Minister for Public Works. 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 500 men in the vicinity of Huntly was no easy matter. He had already put as many men as could be employed on the only work available in the vicinity. Hon. R. McKenzie (Mofcueka); What about the Waiuku railway ? Mr Fraser : That is not in the vicinity of Huntly. The mines had been closed because a doubt had been expressed as to whether the explosive used in the pist was safe. This matter hid been brought under his notice \ij th 9 Taupiri Company. This was a matter that would have, to be referred to an Arbitration Court in accordance with the law. He would take steps 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 himself, as experts alone could pass judgment upon it. He would at once make inquiries as to what work was available in the neighbourhood* of Huntly to put men on, but he pointed out that it was no easy matter to find employment for 500 men. The provision of tools, tents, etc., could not be completed in a day, It would possibly be a week or ten days before anything could be done, but he would make enquiries at once.