OTIRA TUNNEL WORKERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 44

OTIRA TUNNEL WORKERS.

EXTRA SHILLING A DAY. When Sir William Fraser, Minister of Puhlio Works, visited the Otira Tunnel workings early in May a deputation requested that wages should be increased by 2s 6d a day generally as compensation for the wetness of the tunnel, which caused extra expense in. the provision of oilskins, and as a means of meeting the ever-rising cost of living. It was claimed that the tunnel should be declared "wet." The Minister has replied by letter stating that the declaration of " wetness" will be at his discretion, on information submitted by the engineer in charge of the works. Regarding wages, the Minister remarks: " It must be remembered that one shilling per day war bonus has. been regularly paid on this account. I am prepared, however, to recognise that the employees in this tunnel are working under somewhat unpleasant conditions owing to the continuous heavy dripping of water from the unlined roof. This necessitates the constant use of oilskins and leggings, which it is admitted do not last long under working conditions. To meet this I have decided to increase the wages to all hands by one shilling per day, which will much more than compensate the men for the extra expense involved. The payment of this extra one shilling per day will, in accordance with .my promise to.the deputation, date back to May 1."