THE TRAGEDY OF THE MINES

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 138, 9 December 1919, Page 8

THE TRAGEDY OF THE MINES

(By "No. 13067890.")

Mr. . Robert Semple is to deliver a lecture on the "Tragedy of. the Mines" at Brooklyn:' There is no doubt that there is ample work for the investigator in improving conditions under which miners work. There is no doubt that everything possible should be done to eliminate tragedy from our mines. That should be the aim of every good citizen. We have had several mine disasters in New Zealand owing to the dry dust existing in certain mines. There is this danger to be overcome, and efforts are now. being made to minimise this danger, Mr. Semple himself having done good work iii this direction. On the other hand, like in every trade, the miner can minimise the tragedy of the mine himself by taking the necessary precautions in regard to his health, and the proof' of this lies in the fact of the large number of men who_ have worked, and still work in mines, with many year! to their record. In all trades men run risks—some graver than others, but the risk is one that .can always be reduced by care. To save, life should be the aim of us all—not in one direction but in all directions. Now have you ever thought of the "Tragedy of the Front"? .The Tragedy of the Great W,ar—the tragedy whereby thousands of our best have gone West. Then the tragedy of those who came back maimed and bruised for life. Do you realise the tragedy? Do you realise all that has been done for you? What part did Mr. Semple, Mr. Holland, Mr. Webb, or Mr. Fraser take in the tragedy? Did they do anything to avert tragedy to our boyB? If they did, will they explain what.

Anyone can talk, buts it's action that counts. Did they do one action that counted in the Great War? The miners themselves from the West Coast, undaunted and unafraid, went to the fight; thoy went tunnelling, with all its perils, with all its elements of danger and tragedy—much more so than tho tragedy of the mines.

There ia not one single elector who would^ not do all that is possible to assist the miner to work under ideal and health conditions. Ask your candidate so when he speaks.

Remember, above all things, the "Tragedy of the Front" j remember the miners who went.

There was a small, insignificant-look-ing paragraph telegraphed tbe other day. It read that Mr. Lomax, the Independent candidate for Motueka. addressed the miners at Ngakawau (I think I have spelt it right). He got a splendid hearing, and a vote of thanks and confidence. On cheers being called for Labour, only two responded. Does this show that the handwriting is on the wall? Is the miner full up of those who talk tragedy, but did) nothing to help in tho Great Tragedy?