The text of the Bill "to provide a Minimum, Wage
in the case of workmen employed underground in Coal Mines, and for purposes incidental thereto " was issued on Tuesday night. It consists of six clauses and a schedule. The first clause lays it down that, except in the cases specified under the Act, it shall be an implied term of every miner's contract that he shall be paid not less than the minimum, wage fixed by his " district rules." The " district rules " are to provide for the exclusion from the minimum rate of aged and infirm workmen, and to lay down conditions as to regularity and efficiency of work. If the workman fails to comply with these, he is to be excluded from the minimum rate. The second clause deals with the nature and functions of the " joint district boards." These are to consist of representatives of owners and men, with a chairman chosen jointly, or nominated by the Board of Trade. The " joint district boards " are to fix the minimum wage for the district ; but they are also to have the power in the case of any coal mine or class of coal mine or class of workmen where there are special circumstances to fix a special minimum rate higher or lower than the district rate.
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