Government Concern With Safety On Waterfront

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30196, 30 July 1963, Page 6

Government Concern With Safety On Waterfront

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 29.

A national port safety conference will be held in Wellington from August 20 to 22, the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) announced today. “The Government has become seriously concerned at the number of accidents at New Zealand ports,” he said. “In 1961, there were 3222 accidents, and 3283 in 1962. Of those last year, three were fatal and 194 were serious.

“It is felt these figures could possibly have been greatly reduced with proper safety measures, and it will be the aim of this conference to find means of reducing the accident rate and .improving port safety.” The secretary of marine (Mr G L O'Halloran) will preside at the conference, and representatives will attend from the Overseas Shipowners’ Committee, the Port Employers’ Association, the Shipowners’ Federation, Harbours Association, Hartour Boards Employees’ Union,

.Foremen Stevedores’ Union, North and South Islands waterfront workers’ associations, the National Safety Association, the Merchant Service Guild, the Seamen's Union, the Waterfront Industry Commission, and the Health Department.