ANGERS

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1925, Page 5

ANGERS

SHUNTING ACCIDENTS ) Questions in Parliament (Our uwn Correspondent). WELLINGTON, June 29. Al embers of Parliament are drawing attention to the recent batch of accidents t<> railway shunters. ’ Sir John Luke asked in the House to-night, if the Minister for Railways, would examine the statements of the 1 coroners who haj conducted inquests on shunters, amj also look into the statements ot the nieiu in this branch nf service, together with the request of the A.S.R.S., and grant a full inquiry into the working conditions of the shunters. Mr H. E. Holland also asked for a lull inquiry, and for adequate representation at the inquiry of the A.S.R.S. He asked also if the Minister was j aware that there was congestion and J bad lighting in railway yards, and that i the men were harassed by their sup- ! eriors. I Mr Coates, in reply, said that, in-so- ! tar as the shunters were concerned, ; he wished to make it quite clear that, |as far as was humanly possible, he i was anxious to give the men the best i possible conditions within the actual limitations of his capacity to do so. It had long been recognised, not only in New Zealand, but all over thc world, that shunting was a dangerous occupation. The Railway Board, and he himself, had gone into th e whole question. and they had set up a committee of experts, consisting of men of i"ug experience in railway work, to i enquire into all the questions concernj ing shunters. They knew that a num- ; her of their lay-outs in New Zealand were not satisfactory, and the new I ones would provide for better control of I wagons, cars and engines. The points i would be the most modern they could get. Inquiries were being made in | Great Britain, France and Germany, I and men of experience had been I brought from other parts of the world especially to advise th) Department. In Addington this year, tney were spending £lO,OOO on the electric light- | ing of the yards, houses and stations, iTo say that our yards wer e up-to-date j would be wrong, but they were hop--1 ing to make a number of them up-to-date* as soon as possible. He was afraid that, whatever they did, there would always be accidents, but he could as--1 sure them that the Department was | Hive to the position, and would do its | best to improve it. * As to the charge that a man had i been working for 12 hours without anything to eat, Mr Coates said he thought that must be an extreme case. He would be glad if they would ! give him the mail’s name, and inquiry I would be made. Mr Parry: “They are often found walking about eating their meals, like fowls.” (Laughter.) The Prime Minister: “The Hon. Member has not a monopoly of sympathy for the men.” APPEAL FROM THE WORKERS. WELLINGTON, June 28. The Thorndon branch of railwaymen hold a conference With local members of Parliament to discuss the grievance of shunters. It was alleged that there was insufficient lighting, and the long hours, impossible rules, and other reasons were thc cause of continual accidents. Sometimes the men had to work in pools of water over their boots. It was contended the men were anxious to help the Government in making the railways pay, and more conI sideration should be shown if they i were to give of their best. Members replied sympathetically and I promised to do all possible to have ; the grievance redressed. i