THE KOTITI

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 106, 31 October 1931, Page 15

THE KOTITI

INQTJIEY TJEGED

MINISTER WILLING

IF EVIDENCE AVAILABLE

Further efforts to persuade the Minister of Marine (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) to hold a magisterial inquiry into tho loss of the Kotiti were made in tho House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Tho Minister said that if it could bo shown that there was evidence availablo tv justify an 'inquiry lie would consider Iho matter.

Mr. I. Fraser (Labour, Wellington Central) said he considered the Marino Department was taking up an entirely wrung attitude in not holding an inquiry. That altitudo would stand in tho way of any progress being made in tho direction of safeguarding humiiu life. The Department was simply burying its head in the sand, and was not taking up a sensiblo attitude. Thero was also tho question of wireless equipment for all ships trading in open waters.

Tho Minister said he had already informed Mr. Frascr that if he had any further evidence to bring forward lie would be prepared to consider it. Tho Loader of the Opposition (Mr. H. X Holland) urged tho Minister to hold a full inquiry into the loss of the Kotiti. Evidence should bo availablo from tho Marine Department and tho Customs Department as to the fitness of the ship to go to sea. He also supported tho suggestion that all ships going into deep waters should be compelled to carry wireless. Mr. Fraser said he gave the Minister credit for being sincere, but sincerity would not, save the lives of seamen. Tho Department was making a gross mistake in endeavouring to cover up any evidence that might be available. The Seamen's Union should bo allowed to produce any evidence it had. The Minister said that just before setting out on her ill-fated trip tho Kotiti had undergone a very severe survey and had been found fit. If Mr. Fraser could produce any further evidence ho would bo prepared to consider it with a viow to holding an inquiry. Tho Department did not like small ships working on tho West Coast, but tho larger steamers were uot suitable for the work. He would go into the question of wireless equipment on all steamers.