MINER’S COMPLAINT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9343, 12 January 1909, Page 5

MINER’S COMPLAINT.

MR SKERRETT’S OPINION. GOVERNMENT ACTION USELESS. Per Press Association. Wellington, January 11. Mr O. P. Skerrett, K. 0., has given an opinion regarding the mining trouble. Mr Skerrett says:— Section 10 of the Workers’ Compensation Act is extremely difficult to construe. To entitle the worker to compensation under the section he must be able to establish that he contracted the disease within 12 months previous to the date of disablement. It is difficult to see how either mine owners or insurance companies can possibly dispense with f the periodical examination of miners under the law as at present framed. At present mine owners are only liable if the disease is contracted within twelve months previous to the date of disablement and only continue to be liable if death or incapacity occurs within twelve months after the worker ceases to be employed by the employer without medical examination. It is plainly impossible to tell when the disease has been contracted, and it is therefore essential for the employers and the insurance companies to hold a periodical examination of the workers for the purpose of ascertaining whether the disease was contracted within twelve months of the dis» ability or death. So long, therefore, as the law remains in its present condition it seems to me impossible to dispense with a periodical examination of the men. Directly the Government insurance policies expire the position will be exactly the same as it is to-day, and the same questions will arise, and the same precautions will be necessary, except of course so far as they may be affected by the new legislation, the nature of which it is impossible to predict. ” The Advisory Board of the Employers’ Federation mpt this afternoon to conisder Mr Skerrett’s opinion on the situation. It was decided to convey to the Government the Board’s regret at the action taken in connection with this matter, it being held that the interests of the mine owners had not been sufficiently considered, and that the attitude of the Government was (very unfair to the insurance companies doing business in Dominion. Exception was also taken to the fact that te Government communicated its intentions to the Miners’ Federation, and did not at the same time make known its decision to either the mine owners or the Employers’ Federation. The Question was not comprehensively discussed, as the affiliated bodies are being communicated with, and upon receipt of their replies further action will be taken by the Advisory Board. It was also resolved that the foregoing protest "be sent to the Prime Minister.

THE EMPLOYERS’ RESOLVE, Auckland, January 12. A conference of coal mine owners and directors decided that nothing could be done in regard to the acceptance of the Premier’s proposals anti! official information was obtained from ?the State Accident Department as to whether it would take risks, together with rates to he charged. The mines will not start work until this information has been obtained. It was resolved to de-, spatob a telegram to the Premier stating that the position is unchanged, and suggesting that Government srra®g©' and agree to terms with the Government Department and submit the same to the various companies interested. The telegram concluded as follows “The position is serious and requires prompt action otherwise serious loss wild. fall on the men and the companies, besides the lose and inoon-, venience to the public. ’.’ DEADLOCK IN OTAGO. Dnnedin, January 12. Goal mine owners and employees in Otago are marking time and appear content to await developments in other places. The Mine Owners’ Association has postponed the adjourned conference indefinitely and decided to watch opreations without taking action which might precipitate worse trouble than that now experienced. It appears almost certain that the men submit to medical examination unless the Federation Executive issued instructions

Workres at present are very discontented.