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REPORTS. No. 252.—Petition of Richard Ross and 7 Others, of Thames Goldfields. Praying for compensation for loss sustained on gold and silver sold to the Bank of New Zealand during the war period. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration. The Committee desires to point out that during the War years no other industry was so hard hit as gold-mining, the commodity being, in the interests of the Empire and at the request of the Imperial Government, prohibited from export, with the result that a loss, based upon the world market price, of fully £1 per ounce was sustained by gold-miners. Furthermore, the Committee desires to point out that scheelite-miners were permitted by the Imperial authorities to export scheelite during the same period, 11th September, 1929.

No. 68. —Petition of Hannah Wilson and 46 Others. Praying that the balance of the Kaitangata Relief Fund be distributed. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee this petition should be referred to the Government for favourable consideration, with a strong recommendation that the law be amended to empower the Hon. the Minister of Mines to grant assistance to necessitous dependants of the miners who lost their lives in the Kaitangata disaster. 7th October, 1929.

No. 327.—Petition of R. J. T. Dillon and 66 Others, of Collingwood. Praying that steps be taken to have the Mount Burnett coal lease at Collingwood worked forthwith. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the Government should be urged to insist upon the output conditions of the coal leases being complied with as far as practicable. 7th October, 1929.

No. 34. —Petition of W. O'Donnell, of Auckland. Praying that he be granted a miner's pension, notwithstanding his absence from New Zealand during portion of the period necessary to qualify. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 6th November, 1929.

No. 69.—Petition of Harold Victor Taylor, of Church Street, Devonport, Auckland. Praying for a miner's pension or compassionate allowance. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 6th November, 1929.

No. 13-I.—Petition of George Anderson Murray, of 62 First Avenue, Kingsland, Auckland. Praying that he be granted a miner's pension. I am directed to report that in the opinion of the Committee the petition should be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. 6th November, 1929.

No. 310.—Petition of the Inangahua Miners' Union, of Reefton. Praying for compassionate allowance in lieu of miner's pension for W. Mitchell, and for amendment of the miner's phthisis pension law. I am directed to report that the Goldfields and Mines Committee has heard evidence on and carefully considered the above-mentioned petition, and recommends that it be referred to the Government for most favourable consideration. The Committee is of opinion that the existing miner's phthisis pension of £1 15s. per week in the case of a married man or a widower with children under fourteen years of age, and of £1 ss. per week in the case of an unmarried man, is inadequate, and recommends that it be increased. The Committee further recommends to the Government that the existing legislation be reviewed to provide for the removal of the anomalies disclosed in the evidence tendered in support of the above-mentioned petition. The Committee also recommends that the Government investigate the question of annual X-ray examination with a view to further safeguarding the health and lives of those engaged in the mining industry in New Zealand. The minutes of evidence taken on the above-mentioned petition are attached hereto. 6th November, 1929. [Note. —Minutes of evidence laid on the Table and ordered to be printed—vide 1.-4 a.]