THE MINERS STRIKE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9341, 9 January 1909, Page 2

THE MINERS STRIKE.

Per Press Association. Auckland, January 8, As a result of telegrams received from Waikato Coal Miners’ Union a meeting of Labour Unions is convened in Auckland for to-morrow night to consider the advisability of Waterside workers refusing to unload vessels bringing imported coal. “Dunedin, January 8, The Secretary of the Employers’ Association has received word this morning that all the men employed at Barewood quartz mine had submitted themsevles to medical examination and all passed. Thames, January 8. There is no change in the local position so far as the miners trouble is concerned. The miners who, after the first meeting of the Union, were examined, have resumed work and are still at work, no demand having been made on them to cease, though it is contended they acted with undue haste. The fact of the Thames Union consisting of three branches whose vote must be taken collectively, tends somewhat complicate matters as conditions ( ffer considerably. Whereas one mine employs the bulk of the miners at Karangahake, the Thames, and Coromandel have a large number of small mining propositions whose financial position is such that they cannot bear any extra burden, but they will insure if the men pay for medical examination. The men appear to think that rejection at the hands of the doctor will practically class them as inferior workmen, though local managers say they will employ men afflicted and they already know from personal observations those suffering. It is contended that under the clause of the Act a man must die or become incapacitated after contracting it, otherwise he will not benefit. As the ravages of the disease are slow and extend in some oases for many years, objections are raised to the clause if the local interpretation is correct. Another point is that where men change employment frequently as they do at the Thames, minors will he compelled to submit to examination at [each employment which would be harassing and annoying and entail considerable expense. A meeting will be held later in the day and it is hoped a solution will be arrived at so that men now ont can resume work, SURRENDER OF MINISTERS. THE PUBLIC TO PAY THE PIPER. TRIUMPH FOR R. SEMPLE, ESQ. Wellington, January 8. The trouble over the medical examination of the miners in consequence of an alteration in the law making mine owners liable to compensation where an employee becomes disabled through pneumoconiosis within twelve months of contracting the disease, will in - all probability be promptly ended, for Cabinet after further considering the matter yesterday decided that the Government would take the financial risk involved in issuing insurance policies without medical examination. The Prime Minisetr accordingly telegraphed the President of the New Zealand Miners’ Federation as follow?:- , _ “R. Semple, Esq., Reef ton.— In further reference to my wire of yesterday the Government will legislate early next session with a view of removing the present difficulties making the Act workable. Pending Parliament dealing with the matter, the Government will indemnify the Government Insurance Department against loss for policies covering pneumoconiosis under section 10 and will authorise the department to issue policies without medical examination or declaring as to health. In taking this coupe, the Government rely with confidence on the honour cf the miners that none

but bona fide claims will be made. As I have to leave Wellington tonight, I shonld be glad to have an early reply.—J. G. WARD.”