The Mines Commission.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 8, 20 April 1911, Page 9

The Mines Commission.

More Meetings of Protest

Large and enthusiastic meetings have* been held at Runanga, Waihi, Whangarei, and other mining centres to protest against the action of the Government m ignoring the chosen nominees of the Federation of Labour when appointing the members of the Royal Commission on Sanitation and Ventilation of Mines. At each of the meetings it was pointed out that the matter Avas discussed at the last conference of the New Zealand Federation of LabourAAvhen the names of nominees to represent the miners were sent in to the Government. Further, Avhen a deputation Avaited on the Premier, the matter came up, and he then stated that the Commission would be a large one, that it should consist of representatives of the Government and employers and employees, and that it would give both i* majority and a minority report. Sutfioo it to say that when the personnel of the Commission was made known, th« nominees of the Federation were ignored altogether and others substituted, who have not the confidence of the majority of the miners. The following resolution was passed, invariably unanimously : —"We beg to protest most emphatically against the action of the Government in ignoring the recommendation of Federation of Labour re appointments on Royal Commission, dealing Avith the sanitation and ventilation of niines; and we call upon the Government to at once cancel the appointment of the two they have chosen as representing the miners, and the appointment of the tAvo recommended by the Federation in their stead. Unless this request is conceded this Union wdl be compeJied to refuse to give evidence before the said commission." Copies of the resolution were sent to the Minister of Mines from each of the districts where meetings have booji held.