Government Life Building Accident

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 155, 28 March 1932, Page 11

Government Life Building Accident

Sir, —With reference to the reported remarks and requests by Mr. Semple, M.P., to the Minister of Labour for a committee of inquiry into the cause of the tragic accident on the Government Life Assurance building, Mr. Semple apparently was not aware of the occupation followed by the men killed and injured, when he made his request for a member of the General Labourers’ Union, one appointed by the Government and a stipendiary magistrate, to be the committee of inquiry. Two of the men killed were in the carpentry trade, another carpenter we understand had charge of the work, therefore of the five casualties three were carpenters. Such being the ease, the least that Mr. Semple could have done would have been to include a member of the Carpenters’ and Joiners’ Union as a member of the committee of inquiry. The impression given to some of our members on reading the request of Mr. Semple has been that the carpenters of YVellington are affiliated to some party other than Labour; knowing the contrary we ask Mr. Semple why lie left out the carpenters when asking for appointments to the committee. In the /event of the Government deciding to appoint a committee of inquiry a member of the Carpenters’ Union should be one of the appointees. ... I am., etc., J. MOULTIN, Secretary; C. BAKER, Organiser, Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners. Wellington, March 24.