THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2399, 14 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

A MINERS’ MANIFESTO. \ , [Krebs Association.] REEFTON, Jan. 13. The executive of the Federation of Miners issued a manifesto tuis evening recapitulating the various headings already given anti closing with the remarks that the demands of tlie insurance companies are really for diminishing risk and for an increased premium; that they are annoyed at tho outrageous demand being supported by the Government Insurance Department, and that there was no comparison whatever between tho medical examination as insisted on by the employers and that instituted by the Government or 'the Westport Coal Company; that tho employers really wished to subject the worker to a medical test and employ him conditionally on his being robbed of the benefits of the Workers’ Compensation Act. Matters arc quiet on the surface, but a nasty' feeling is gaining ground, the companies being generally blamed for the delay. They excuse themselves on account of the non-recei.pt of the insurance regulations. The Caledonian United mine issued their weekly report to-day, tbe first yet issued this year, stating that the tributers’ mines and the GoldenFleece are the. only mines working. ACTION OF DENNISTON MINERS WESTPORT, Jan. 13. At a special general meeting of the Denniston Miners’ Union last night it was decided to support the gold miners in their fight against medical examination, financially and morally, and. if necessary, also to comply with any mandate from the Executive of the. New Zealand Miners’ Federation, it was decided to take advantage of the'* Coalminers’ Amendment Act, 1908. nml work eight hours bank to hank on and after Saturday, January 23rd. THE PREMIER’S LATEST UTTERANCE. TIMARU, Jan. 13. The Premier arrived from Oamaru to-day. He has been very busy over the miners’ troubles. 3 n reply to Mr. Free, representative of tlie mineowners at Reefton, lie said that the Government wns in no way responsible for the mine-owners not giving evidence on the Bill. The omission of objection by owners led the Government to assume that they end not oppose clause 10. As to the feared influx of men from Australia, Sir Joseph Ward said that he cannot see that the mine-owners are under any obligation to emnloy them. He is confident that the -press opinion roL’prding the medical examination by Government officers being tlie last word from.the Government is entirely wrong. Sir Joseph '"Ward saYS be acted” with great "deliberation, and, could Mr. Free see the whole corres- . pomlenee, he would be convinced that; lie is in error. Tbe Premier adds: “When I have helped to end the trouble you are adopting the extra-j ordinary -course of endelivomig to | obtain, from me definite outlines ol . legislation before- tlie mattei is investigated, ami I have gone as far as Tam prepared to go.” He, iu.ded that when Parliament meets the whole matter will be gone-ink). II the owners show that pneumonoconjosis is fatal to the best interests of the industry, tlie law will be amended. If, however, more stringent protection against bogus claims is necessary tlnd protection will be given.