THE MINING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 September 1919, Page 4

THE MINING INDUSTRY.

WORKING COAL MEASURES. LARGE POWERS GIVEN TO ! GOVERNMENT. By Wire.—Own Correspondent. Wellington, Last Night. Important provisions are contained in tho Coal Mines Amendment Bill. The Minister of Mines is empowered to call upon the owner or occupier of any coal bearing lands to commence operations thereon within a specified time, being not less than six months, and to continue such operations on an adequate scale to the satisfaction of the Minister. If the notice is not complied with, and if tho land is taken within two years for a public work, the compensation payable shall not exceed twice the value of the land as recorded in the valuation roll. The Minister for Mines may undertake prospecting operations on Crown or private lands, the consent of the owners or occupiers being required in the case of private land. The Minister is empowered to purchase or hire vessels that may be required for the carriage of coal derived from State mines. These vessels are to be used primarily for. the carriage of coal, but may carry passengers and goods. The Minister of Mines may require coal mine owners to provide accommodation for miners and their families. The accommodation must be suitable, in the opinion of the Minister, and must be provided on such terms and conditions as the Minister may approve. Failure to comply with a notice under this section will render the mine owner liable to a fine of £SO, with an additional £5 for each day during which the failure continues. The Coal Mines Act, 1914, provided that a miner should not be placed in charge of any place in a mine unless he was at least 21 years of age and had had at least three years' experience of underground coal mining, of which at least one year had been at the face with an experienced miner. This provision is now made subject to the proviso: "except by consent of the Minister," PROVISIONS OP NEW BILL. The Mining Amendment Bill gives extended power to the Government to make advances for the development of mining. The purposes for which loans may be made to persons and companies are extended to include the following: (1) Quarrying or coal mining operations, including the purchase of plant, construction of roads and railway lines, or other means of access, and all other incidental matters; (2) the extraction, rectification, storage, and transport of oil derivable or derived from swamp or other land; (3) the erection, construction, or repair of dwellings by the owners of any coal mine for the use of employees. The Government's authority to borrow for the development of mining is increased to £oo,ooo per annum, and the amount that may be granted by way of loan to any one applicant is increased to £20,000, The Bill provides that prospecting and boring for mineral oil or natural gas shall not be conducted except under license issued by the Ministor. The conditions of the license will be defined by regulations.