LOSS OF KOTITI

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 9, 12 January 1932, Page 10

LOSS OF KOTITI

INQUIRY URGED

FURTHER EVIDENCE

MINISTER'S REPLY

. A further request was made today to the Minister of Marine for j an official inquiry into tho recent loss of the small steamer Kotiti on j < the West Coast. The Minister j (the Hon. J. G. Cobbe) replied that j the attitudo that he and the Department had adopted was that if evidence was available to justify an inquiry, such an inquiry would "bo held. He understood that fur- , thcr evidence was available. A deputation consisting of Messrs. F. T. Walsh, general president of tho Federated Seamen's Union; F. Ncwfleld, general secretary, and F. Miller, member, of the executive of tho union, waited on the Minister to-day and presented further evidence in support of the need for holding an inquiry. The deputation was introduced by Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., and there were also present Messrs, B. McEcon, M.P., C. H. Chapman, M.P., and R. Semplo, M.P. Mr. Walsh, in stating the caso on behalf of the Seamen's Union, remarked that the application was supported by the Cooks and Stewards' Union. He said tho Seamen's.Union had. passed a resolution to the effect that it considered that tho sworn statements of Messrs. W. Maelntyro and. J. Gosse to »the effect that the Kotiti had engine trouble and was leaking on her voyage from Wellington to Westport further justified the claim of the union for an inquiry. In the interests of the relatives of the men who lost their lives in the wreck, and the ' need for tho taking of precautionary measures against loss of life at sea, an investigation was justified. Mr. Walsh said the seamen held that there was no precedent for the refusal of the holding of an inquiry. Ho mentioned the foundering of other vessels, in all which eases, ho said, inquiries had been held! Such an inquiry should not be refused on the ground of economy. It was reasonable •to ask f6r an investigation in order to ascertain: (1) The quantity and natureof the cargo carried by the Kotiti, and whether it was properly stowed; (2) the quantity of deck cargo carried; and whether the cargo was inspected by the Customs official, and a certificate given; (3) whether the ship was fully manned; (4) whother tho Customs officer had ■ given permission to. carry two passengers; and (5) whether the ' installation of -wireless would have, prevented the loss of the vessel by; the master boing able to send an S.O.S. The sworn statements of Messrs. Gosse and Maclntyro were read. Mr. Walsh contended that the Kotiti was not a fit typo of vessel to trade on the West Coast, which was notable for heavy weather. Tho Seamen's Union, he said, contended that all vessels, irrespective of whether they wero 25 .tons or under, which wore used for commercial purposes, should be compelled by law to be under articles. MINISTER'S REPLY. ' ■•. The Hon. J. G. Cobbe, in reply, said he- had' always held.that if there were sufficient reasons for holding an inquiry into the loss of tho vessel, such an inquiry would be held. The Seamen's Union now said that it had further evidence to submit, including tho statements''of Messrs. Jame- Gosse and Walter Maclntyre. There was no truth in' the 'allegation that the inquiry had been refused to save expense. As far as. the;; department was concerned, it was in its t interests, as well as in the interests of the general public, that the utmost publicity should be given in such cases. In view of the further evidence which had been submitted, he would confer with his responsible officers_ and give a decision in due course. ' '.