THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2403, 19 January 1909, Page 5

THE MINERS’ DIFFICULTY.

TROUBLE ENDED AT REEFTON

(Press Association.)

AUCKLAND, Jan. 18. A conference of delegates or the Taupiri Coal Company and the Waikato Miners’ Union was held on Satuday. when the men decided to remain firm, and to refuse to go to work until the directors acceded to their demands. Another conference is to he hold on Tuesday, when it is hoped that a settlement will he Arrive ed at. •

PERSECUTION OF “BLACKLEGS.” HUNTLEY, Jan. 18. Tim, coal mines at Huntley are still closed owing to the deteVmi nation of tho Miners’ Union not to resume work until four of their members who underwent medicial examination and are at work aa’e reduced in status. A conference betweeen the men and tho directors of the Taupiri Coal Company is to be held to-mor-row. Meantime the miners are amusing themselves and distracting _ the minds of the rowdy'element by hr/.ding a procession and concerts. The four alleged “blaokXegs” tare daily escorted to and from work, and the town band plays the “Dead .March’” in front oil' their residence. The union officials disclaim any desire to see violence perpetrated, and declare that they are doing all they can to keep every one in order. r There are 300 men out of work. They state they will stand firm in their decision not to resume work 'unless tho four alleged “•blacklegs” are reduced. If tomorrow’s conference does not lead to a settlement an ivcute crisis is imminent. REEFTON, Jan. 18. The Inawgibua Times states: The refusal of the insurance companies to take risks means in this district that the wealthier companies will insure themselves, and then more or less there must he some supervision as regards the” physical fitness oi workers. even if no medical examination bo insisted on. An intimation was given to-day that the. companies are prepared to resume work to-morrow. General satisfaction is expressed. WORK TO BE RESUMED. Later. All hands are to resume work tomorrow at all the mines. The Miners’ Union, at a meeting to-night, rescinded tho resolution not to go on to work. A LEGAL OPINION. DUNEDIN, Jan. 13. At the instance of the Coal Mine Owners’ Association, Air. J. MacGregor has furnished a legal opinion on the effect of the provisions of the new Compensation. Act dealing with pneumonoconiosis. The opinion concludes as follows: “It seems clear from the statements submitted that men working coal mines do not contract pneumonoconiosis. If my opinion of the lav. 7 is correct it follows there is no risk of claims for compensation being succesfully made by men who contracted the disease -in quartz mines. I fail to see on what grounds coal-mining companies should make common cause with quartz companies, unless coal miners make common cause with quartz miners. Ihe position is .simple this: Any miner who refuses to submit to medical examinat'on thereby makes it impossible that he can ever receive compensation for pneumonoconiosis, if, indeed, for auv disease, and so far as he is concerned the change might just as well never have been made, as he would by his refusal practically put on one side section 10. As for tire insurance, companies. it is not difficult to understand whv they should seek to magnify the risk, or why they should he chagrined bv tbe action of the Government in •indemnifying the Government Insurance Department and so divert business in that direction. If the business should prove highly profitable, as it must do, if my view on the risk is correct, the companies can hardly complain when they find the Government taking them at their word.”