FUTURE OF KAMO MINE

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28128, 17 November 1956, Page 2

FUTURE OF KAMO MINE

COMMITTEE’S REPORT CRITICISED

The Government committee's report on the Kamo mine 'flooding was criticised yesterday at the biennial convention of the United Mine Workers Union in Christchurch. The following statement was issued b 7-r th £ national secretary of the unior (Mr F. Crook):—

“This convention views with deet concern the findings of the committee set up by the Government to bring down a report on the future of the Kamo mine, and does not agree that the findings are in line with the present position in relation to water and production costs. Further, the lapse of time in arriving at the decision leads us to believe that the members of the committee were not very confident in their findings. “We have submitted the committee’s report to a competent engineer, Mr pavid Kennedy, engineer of tne Whangarei Harbour Board, who has spent a lifetime dealing with huge quantities of water. His considered opinion is that the water can be effec tively sealed off to enable a faiportion of the mine to be worked. “The cost of same .is very small, taking into consideration that approximately 150 married men’s future is linked up with the future of the Kamo mine. Most of these men own their own homes, and up to date it has been impossible to find work for a large number of them other than temporary work arranged by th? Ministry of Works. “The convention urges the Government to give Mr Kennedy’s opinion urgent consideration, also that a further investigation be made at which evidence could be heard. The committee should be representative of all interested parties, and at least one miners’ representative should be included,” said the statement.