Mining Engineers In N.Z. Praised

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31277, 25 January 1967, Page 3

Mining Engineers In N.Z. Praised

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, January 24

It was impossible to detect conclusively a pocket of gas such as that which exploded in the Strongman State mine, the past president of the British Mine Workers’ Union (Sir William Lowther) said in Auckland today.

“Every coal mine must be regarded as dangerous,” he said.

A colliery in Northumberland, which was to be the showpiece mine of all times, was destroyed by fire. Safety conditions had improved, as the lesser number of fatal mine accidents had proved. “People who have tried to raise standards have done a good job, but miners still have to face the hazards of nature,” he said. Sir William Lawther visited Westport four years ago. He said today that New Zealand mining engineers were among the finest in the world, especially in the way in which they bypassed natural obstacles.

"Mining is the job which everybody thinks the other

| fellow should do,” he added. (“Mining is the dirtiest, filthiest, most dangerous job in the world.

“Disaster is the price which must be paid for coal. “If I had my life again I would not leave school at the age of 12—and I would not be a miner.”