MINERS’ SAFETY

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 May 1925, Page 2

MINERS’ SAFETY

COMPULSORY ELECTRIC LAMPS

—T- — J • » (Special to “Star.”) ). INVERCARGILL, April 30. Speaking at the opening of the Ohai Railway, to-day, Hon. G. J. Anderson (Minister of Mines) said the recent ipnovation bn the West Coast, . that of working mines on - the co-operative principle was beneficial; and although the miners at present were opposed to it, he-was sure that they would soon accept it. It was a fair system for i'.U., It gave a miner a fair return for his labour, and also gave the employer a fail’ return for his coal. He was satisfied that’when the scheme was adopted it would j>top the importing of a large amount of coal. The ..system was based upon co-operation, and had the common-sense public behind it, as well as common-sense miners. Referring to the question of safety in mines, the Minister said that human life was placed before anything, i and the Inspector, of Mines was instructed that no. matter if both employer and employee objected, to see that everything was safe for life. In a gassy field, miners should use nothing else but safety lamps, and the safe lamp was electric. Mine owners would have to face the' position, and instal electric lights, as the cost of running them was nothing when compared with the loss of a single life. ( The sooner electric lights are. installed the better.

A miner: Why don’t you make them compulsory? - , Mr. Anderson : We are going to make them compulsory. There is a bill now on the stocks, which I hope will be passed next session, making electric lamps, compulsory.