THE MINING CRISIS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3088, 9 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINING CRISIS.

OUTLOOK SERIOUS,

WAIHI MINERS DETERMINED.

REFUSAL TO SUBMIT

By Telegraph—Press Association

WAIHI, January 8,

At a largely-attended meeting of members of the Waihi Miners and Workers' Union held last evening, it was unanimously decided to refuse to submit to medical examination and to support the action of those members who had already refused to undergo examination at the Waihi Extended Mine, by discontinuing work as from Monday next, unless the mine-owners allow them to return to work without submitting to the test. Should something not arise meanwhile to enable a settlement of the difficulty, the action proposed by the unicn will throw about 1,700 men out of employment, provided all members abide by the decision. The outlook is serious. POSSIBILITY OF A FIZZLE OUT. WIUNGAREI, January 8. Mr Dunn, mine manager at Jiigurangi, states that the miners at the Northern and Higurangi collieries will be guided by the decision of the Miners' Federation; until then no amount of argument or attempts at amicable arrangement will be of the least avail. He said he believed the action of many of the goldminers in submitting to examination might influence the federation's decisions in favour of the coal miners complying with the conditions of medical examination for the time being. There was a possibility, therefore, of the trouble fizzling out before the end of next week. GOVERNMENT WILL TAKE THE RISK. FURTHER LEGISLATION PROPOSED. WELLINGTON, January 8. The trouble over the medical examination of miners, in consequence of an alteration in the law, making mine owners liable to compensation when an employee becomes disabled through pneumoconosius, within twelve months of contracting the disease, will, in all probability, be prompcly ended, for Cabinet after further considerating the matter, yesterday, decided that the Government wquJcl take the financial risk involved injHrtiing insurance policies without medical examination.

The Prime Minister, accordingly, telegraphed to the President of the New Zealand Miners' Federation as follows:—*'R. Semple, E.-q., Reefton. —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 declaration as to health. In taking this course the Government rely with confidence on the honour of the miners that none but bona fide claims will be made. As I have to leave Wellington to-night, I should be glad to have an early reply.—J. G. WARD."