§ Mr. JENKINSasked the Secretary for Mines if he is aware that the Main collieries have been closed down since July, 1924; is he aware that the owners state that they will not restart until after May next; and what steps his Department has taken, and will take, to get a, resumption of work?
§ Colonel LANE FOXThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the last part, an officer of the Mines Department was present at joint meetings of the owners' and workmen's representatives, held in December and January, at which the whole question was discussed and every possibility explored, but without success. In these circumstances I am afraid that it is not in my power to do anything more.