DOBSON MINE DISASTER

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21096, 22 February 1934, Page 4

DOBSON MINE DISASTER

NO NEED FOR ROYAL COMMISSION '.tPECUI. TO THE PIESa. GREYMOUTH, February 21. The opinion that no useful purpose would be served by setting up a Royal Commission to investigate the recent explosion at the Dobson mine with a view to instituting additional safety measures, was expressed in a letter sent by the Minister for Mines (the Hon. C. E. Macmillan) to the United Mine Workers of New Zealand. The Minister's letter stated that he had gone carefully into the matter with the Chief Inspector of Mines, and certain of the suggestions made by the United Mine Workers would receive the attention of the department. Referring to the proposed establishment of properly-equipped and trained rescue brigades, the letter stated that the last commission to investigate a mine explosion in New Zealand had recommended that proposals be submitted to a conference. Such a conference had been held in Wellington in July, 1930. but no agreement had been reached. It was suggested, however, that a small committee of three experts on each side should go further into the problem, and the Minister affirmed his readiness lo facilitate the setting up of such a committee or calling a conference at an early date to enable the matter again to be discussed.