MISHAPS TO WORKMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20402, 2 November 1929, Page 11

MISHAPS TO WORKMEN.

PUBLIC WORKS CAMPS.

ALLEGATION OF LAXITY.

[By TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORUESTONT.IINT.] : ■ WELLINGTONFii day.'.

Grave concern at the number -of accidents occurring on public works in ex? ■' ! pressed by the general secretary o!. thai. New Zealand Workers' Union, Mr. A. Cook. Recently Mr. Cook charged tffai Public Works Department with laxityregarding the use of explosives., and his criticism brought forth a, reply from the Milliliter of Public Hon. E. A. Hansom, in which the Minister said all possible precautions wove taken by officers of the department,, that there was no. foundation in fact for the allegations. " . "In this respect," .said Mr. 1 Cook. "I ... wish to the Minister's statem tut an emphatic denial, and can-furnish' proof to back up any statements I' may Jtiake. After the . MiiniS'ter't statement tha.t all precautions were taken, I refrained from commenting until L.ljad, sent- an officer • of tho union to WaSlcaremoana to investigate fully the actual" position"' on. those work:!. I novn have the report hefsro m?," .. "* . Mr. Cook then quoted three . statements made by injured workmen iiri support of his con tentions that - the' necessary facilities i-df protective purposes were not present. "Ten days ago," said Mr. Cook, "an official of + *he union visited a Maori Public Works vamp near Ruatahuna and discovered in practically every tent explosives under the beds. In this camp there are a number Df small children. At a roliei camp six miles from Ohura. an . x official of the union found, explosives kept in the tents where tho men were cooking and Bleeping. There was no' other place to keep -ihem.' • ■ . "Tho question is." concluded :.- Mr.• Cook, "will Mr... Bansora thing to stop this neglect? I.sJo n<»t for ( a moment blmno the officials of tha department who "nr.s in charge of the The safety- appliances are not provided, and for this . tbi> Public -Works Depart- , ment head must accept the blame."