Union Adds Voice To Kaimai Criticism

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32381, 21 August 1970, Page 26

Union Adds Voice To Kaimai Criticism

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 20. The report of the Commission of Inquiry • into the Kaimai railway tunnel collapse earlier in the year was attacked today by the Workers’ Union.

The general secretary (Mr W. A. Dempster), said he could not agree with the commission’s findings on the capabilities of Ministry of Wqrks- engineers. He did not beUeve that it tfas the Commission’s prerogative to make drastic condemnations and comparisons between the ministry and private contractors without looking at tiie ministry’s work record. . , ' The country through which the tunnel was being forced would have been no more easy for private contractors than ministry engineers. No other tunnellers would have had the experience that the department had had in that type of country.

He said the union believed that the emphasis at the tunnel site was on safety at all times, and that the work was no less efficient that that elsewhere. He was prepared to back this from his own asso-

elation of more than 40 years.

New Zealand engineers) were more adaptable and more experienced in the terrain formations and structures than many overseas geologists or engineers. They; had an, organising and admin: istrative ability far in excess of that of foreigners. i Union records showed that the incidence of fatal and serious accidents oh departmental projects was far lower than that in 'private con: tracts. Mr Dempster said he deplored the suggestion or inference that overseas engineers would have to be brought into the country to teach the work force.

“This is not correct, and would be a poor acknowledge-' ment by any Government .of 1 the part the Ministry of' Works and members of my i union have played in the de-: velopment of New Zealand,” he said.