TUNNEL LEAGUE.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16203, 4 May 1918, Page 6

TUNNEL LEAGUE.

| MEETING OF DEPUTATIONS COMMITTEE. Ihe Deputations Committee of the Arthur s Pass Tunnel League met yesterday afternoon. -Mr H. .T, Mnrriner presided, and there were present Messrs H. Holland (president of the League), W. H. Winsor, AY. tloss, • and ~ H. Hunter. Mr J. Grimmond (Ross) was present by invitation. The chairman said that the executive had remitted to the committee the question of arranging i'ov a deputation to wait on Sir William Eraser, Minister of Public Work.-., on his return from investigating i;;lK>tir conditions at tee Otira end of the tunnel. Mr Goss said that he had received a letter from 31 r I>. J. Evans, hen. secretary of the Westl.md Chamber of Commerce, suggesting that a combined deputation from East and West Coasts should meet the Minister at Otira. His (Mr Goss's) own personal opinion was that they ought not to interfere with tho Minister on his visit to Otira, but should wait on him on his return. Mr Holland expressed the opinion ill at the Mirister should be given a chance to arrange matters: it was possible that he might propose an increase of wages. Mr Winsor urged that an endeavour should be made to obviate delay. Mr Grimmond said that as an old mine manager, ho thought that the offer of an additional bonus, provided tho work were done before ;i certain date, would be effective in accelerating the work. Mr Hunter, referring to the question of linding additional labour, said that according to what the delegates from the Tunnel Workers' Union told him, the difficulty was not in getting men, but in keeping them,' owing to tho higher wages jbtainablo in town for similar work. It was decided that a telegram should be sent to the Minister asking him whoa he intended visiting Otira, and suggesting that the visit be made as soon as possible. The president. (Mr H. Holland) and. the chairman (Mr H. J. Marriner) were appointed to meet the Minister on his way through Christchurch to tho Coast, and the whole committee was appointed a deputation to wait on the Minister on his return.