MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9348, 18 January 1909, Page 5

MINERS’ COMPLAINT.

DEADLOCK CONTINUES

Per Press,Association

Christchurch, January 16

Mr Pryor, .Secretary of the New Zealand Employers’ Federation, who is at present in town for the purpose of conferring with Mr S. L. P. Free with regard to the trouble in the mining industries, informed a representative of Truth that so far as he knew, there was,no alteration in the position so far as the mine owners ware concerned. The Government proposals did not relieve the mine owners in any shape or form, in that the temporary cover by the State Department, when it lapsed, would leave them with the whole liability, whatever it might be, imposed on them by the Act. The mine owners had desired that the Government should give them some indication of the, alterations to be made in the law to meet the position, but up to the present the Government had not seen theii way to do so, and unless that were done, he was quite at a loss to see how any settlement could be arrived at. The claim of the mine owners for a special session of Parliament to deal with the matter was, to his mind, worthy of more consideration as the importance of the trouble was in Itself sufficient to warrant Parliament being- called together. The issues at stake were so great that nothing at all within the range of practicability ought tp be allowed to stand in the way of arriving at a settlement. Regarding the medical examination of the men, Mr Pryor said that the employers still claimed that speh an examination was the only way by which they could ascertain their actual risk under the Act, and unless Parliament amended the Act so as to provide for k medical examination, or that such examination should be optional, but that in the event of any worker declining to be medically examined, snob worker should not be able to avail himself of the protection afforded by the Act, the present deadlock would continue. Auckland, January 17.

A conference of the directors of the Taupiri Coal Company and the Waikato Miners’ Union was held yesterday, when the men decided to remain firm and to refuse to go to work till the directors acceded to their demands. Another conference will be held on Tuesday, when it is hoped a settlement will be arrived at.

Westport, January 17,

At a meeting of the Ngakawau Union (Westport-Stockton Company) on Saturday it was unanimously resolved not to undergo medical examination. In doing so, the meeting expressed the opinion that they were following the view of the Prime Minister.

Reef ton, January 17,

A representative of the Inangahua Times waited on a leading employer on Saturday and elicited the fact that the refusal of the insurance companies to take on risk without a medical examination had materially affected their plans. It had [been thought possible to recommence work in the mine on Wednesday next, but the new aspect of the case, he was afraid, would retard a settlement or alter their plans. He expressed himself favourable to commencing work. The present position was most annoying and unsatisfactory. Other employers coincided with this view. The only question is how any action now will militate on legislative action in June. It is felt that the question must be re-opened then, and the position would indeed he aggravated by a high rate of insurance. The Inangahua Times states the refusal of Jbhe insurance companies to, take risks means in this district that the wealthier companies will insure themselves and then more or less there must be some supervision as regards the physical fitness of the workers, even if no medical examination be insisted on. *