THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2401, 16 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

THE TROUBLE ENDED AT WHAXGAREI AND THAMES. (Press Association.) WHANGAItEI, Jan. 15. Work was re-started tin’s morning at the coal mines owned bv the Northern and jTikurangi companies. Many miners are absent at present, outwork will probably be in full swing again on Monday. The ordinary railway running lias been resumed. THAMES, Jan. 15. To-day a notification was received locally by .several mine managers that the mining companies have- taken advantage of the offer made by the Premier. The trouble having ended, the mm are returning to work at once. The same intimation was forwarded to Tairua, where-the Broken Hills. Golden Hills, and other proprietors are resuming work with tlie usual complement of men. At Thames some mines have already commenced. It is expected that by next Monday all the men will be employed. This has given much satisfaction locally. WELLINGTON, jam 15.

Mr. Pryor, secretary of the Employers’ Federation, is going south tonight to confer with the lull mineowners’ representatives regarding the present situation. The accident insurance companies state definitely that they are not prepared to carry the risk of pneumoconiosis for an extra premium of £.l per cent., unless they receive the same indemnity as given to the Government Accident [us lira lice Department.

EEEFTOX, Jan. 15

Regarding the crisis, matters seem no more forward. The miners -are not too pleased regarding the offer or the companies, which include not only those mentioned, hut the New Big River, New Ulster, and Iveop-it-Dark Mining Companies. The insurance risks .are not considered -as risks at all. Independent men consider the insurance rates as published a fearful impost. They consider the Government undertook no risk when they endorsed the accident insurance for pneumoconiosis 'alone. This, on the average o,f £l5O individual annual w ages; works out at 30s per man additional tax, or nearly £ISOO on this field.