MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9340, 8 January 1909, Page 5

MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

Per Press Association. Reef ton, January 7. The miners regard the deadlock very quietly, hope being centred on Government being able to arrange with the Insurance Department, THE PREMIER’S SUGGESTION. The Premier has sent the following telegram to R. Semple, “Esq.”, president of the Miners’ Federation The Governmentdias obtained legal advice upon points of law and since receipt of the same, the whole mattter has been reconsidered by the Government Accident Insurance Department. t.l) The Department reports that it is unable to accept the unknown responsibility involved in the proposal to insure miners without medical examination (3) The Department points out that a preliminary medical examination effectually avoids all trouble and that the miner who gets a clean bill of health gastablishes ipso facto his Claim to compensation within the statutory limits in the event of his being subsequently incapacitated. The Department also directs attention to the fact that it is quite impossible at the present time for miners in any part of the world to get their lives insured for £SOO at death,(the benefit provided under the ‘Workers’ Compensation law), without medical examination to see whether they are free from phthisis or any other disease, and that a similar course is necessary in the ease of applications to join friendly societies. Further there is no more of an indignity involved in the miners being asked to submit themselves to a medical examination, than in the case referred to. (3) I would suggest for'the consideration of the miners that they agree to a medical examination provided it is carried out by the Government medical officers, such medical examination to be for pneumoconiosis only. (4) The only other course that suggests itself is that pneumoconiosis should he struck out of the legislation altogether at the next meeting of Parliament. (5) Steps are being taken to have the interpretation of danse 10 defined by the Supreme Court under the Declaratory Judgments Act of last session, and on receipt of this the matter will he further considered in order to meet the position if the judgment given should euable the Government to do so.—J. G. WARD.”

The Times understands that steps to obtain an interpretation of the law have already been put in hand and that a hearing of the Labonr Department’s application for an interpolation of clause 10 is likely to take place within a few days. LABOUR COUNCIL'S YIBWS. Wellington, January 7. The Wellington Trades and Labour Oouncil to night passed a resolution endorsing the action of [die Miners’ Federation in refusSag.to submit to a medical examination and assuring the miners of moral and financial support. THE MINE OWNERS’ APPEAL. Auckland, January 7. At a conference of coal mine owners to day, it was resolved to send the following telegram to the Premier and Minister for Labour:— “At a meeting of directors of all coal companies in the Auckland province held to-day, it was resolved to intimate to you that unless the Goyernmeut promptly intervenes in the matter of the existing trouble with the miners, the whole of the mines must remain closed [and must suffer irreparable injury, resulting in great financial loss to the community generally. Already large orders for Newcastle coal have gone forward. Many industries dependent upon’ coal supplies are seriously affected. A large portion of the coastal fleet is already laid up. and hands discharged. The position is critical.”