MORE INSPECTORS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15716, 8 September 1911, Page 11

MORE INSPECTORS.

LABOUR DEPUTATION’S REQUEST.

MINISTER AND AN OPPOSITION

CRY

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 7.

*• You know the cry that the Government ils responsible for having the country overridden .with inspectors, said the Hon J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour, to a deputation of waterside workers, which asked him this afternoon to appoint inspectors in the. principal ports to see that the regulations regarding the sale working of ships and the provision of efficient gear are properly observed. “The workers don't say that,” replied one Ox the deputation, Mr H. Voyce (vice-president of the Waterside Workers’ Federation). .“Owing to the number of accidents oil the water front last year wo submit that we are entitled to an inspector iust as much as the building trade.” Mr D. M’Laren: The proportion of accidents is higher on the waterside than in the building trade.' The Minister remarked that there were four specially appointed building inspectors, besides which there were inspectors of factories with building experience, who also did some of that. “ We are accused everlastingly of adding to the expenditure of the Consoliidated Fund, and this is apparently.accepted by some people as going against us, but with increasing business it is impossible to do otherwise. Whenever you see those statements mado about the enormous expenditure of the Government remember that a largo proportion of that is caused bv gradual requests of the people who think it necessary. If I grant- this it will mean another £BOO a year, and a charge of wilful extravagance.” The deputation : It is for the protection of life and limb. The Minister: They don’t look at that, but what they say does not_ matter a ran to me. If I think a thing is right I 3o it.-