THE MINERS DIFFICULTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2400, 15 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINERS DIFFICULTY.

TELEGRAM FROM THE PREMIER

(Press Association.) AUCKLAND, Jan. 14. A telegram rreceived from the Premier states: “The terms of the Government Accident Insurance Department were fixed before I wired to the mine owners on the West Coast. There is no difficulty in this respect. I am unable to understand why, in view of trio fact that the Government has undertaken that the Accident Insurance Department should effect insurance for pneumoconiosis, there should be any further delay on the part of the mine owners to end the trouble. I have wired them further, oii the matter this afternoon, and the responsibility is with tho owners. I have given instructions for an Order-in-Council. containing the Government Accident Insurance rates, to be published in to-day’s (Thursday’s) Gazette.” THAMES, Jan. 14. * The meeting of the Thames Miners’ Union made very little progress towards a solution of the present difficulty. There was .very little to report for the reason that no replies had been received to telegrams, except that from the Minister of Mines. Since the meeting a reply had been received from the Premier that Gazette notices’will be published'at once. He explained that the Government had offered to take the risks, or to indemnify the State Insurance Department against loss. This was about as far as they could go at present. It had been decided to go into the question to see what could be done. It was decided to consult the solicitors regarding tlip liability of mine-owners in ease of contractors and wages-men who had not been paid-off. A REEFTON MINE OWNER’S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. A Reefton mine owner informed the “Tnangahua Times,” in answer to the manifesto of the Miners’ Federation, that if the Federation, with the approval of the local unions, will join the employers in petitioning Parliament for the removal of pneumoconiosis (miners’ complaint) from the operation of the Workers’ Compensation Act, the employers will undertake to dispense entirely with medical examination, Ho claims that the mine owners did not attempt to enforce medical examination till met with by the present liability in regard to miners’ complaint, when they adopted the only means of preventing unjust claims. If the offer is accepted it means the end of the .present difficulty. INSURANCE REGULATIONS ISSUED. WELLINGTON, Jan. 14. A supplement to the ‘‘Gazette” was published this afternoon containing regulations under the Government Accident Insurance Act relating to pneumoconiosis, insurance against which is to the provided bv tho Department in terms of the decision recently come to by the Government. They arc as follows—• These regulations shall apply only to contracts which include insurance or indemnity against risk arising under section 10 of the Workers’ Compensation Act, 190 S. IV no case shall the Commissioner require as a condition of contract that the workers have been medically examined, or that any medical or other evidence or decimation respecting their state of health L given or produced. In' the case of pneumoconiosis, the Commissioner shall keep a separate account showing all premiums received and claims paid. The rates of premium to be charged shall bo according to the following table of rates: — Pneumoconiosis, in respect or every £IOO of wOges, the same rate as is .fixed in table S of Order-in-Council of tho 19th December, 1908, for the therein mentioned poilicios, with an addition of 20 per cent. All other diseases, in respect of every £IOO of wages the same rate as is fixed in the aforesaid table S, without any addition. Subject to the foregoing provisions of these regulations the general regulations in force shall apply to every such contract.

NORTHERN COAL MINE DIFFICULTY 'SETTLED. TIMARU. Jan. 14.

Interviewed in Timam this evening the Premier said: “I have received advice) that the difficulty regarding the Northern coal mine has been settled, that the owners have accepted the Government Accident Insurance Department’s cover, and that the miners will resume work to-morrow.' ’

OTAGO (MINERS SUBMIT TO EXAMINATION.

DUNEDIN, Jan. 14. Tho miners iafc the Golden Point and the Gold land Tungsten mines at McRae’s Flat, numbering 24, have submitted themselves to medio,all examination, and all, have passed. It is stilted that the men raised no objection to submitting themselves to examination.