OTIRA TUNNEL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16521, 23 August 1919, Page 6

OTIRA TUNNEL.

VISITED BY MP. SEDDOX. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHUPCH, August 22. At a meeting of the Arthur's Pass Tunnel League, Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, M.P., who has returned from a visit of inspection, stated that a milo of lining, etc., remained to be done. It was estimated that the work would take two years, which, to lus mind, was unduly long. jHo criticised tho housing conditions at Otira and advocated improvement and employment ol another shift to hasten completion of the work. Ho contended that by bettering the housing and wage conditions the work would attract labour. The following resolutions were carried: ‘‘That members of this meeting are surprised and concerned to learn that the miserable housing accommodation still obtains at Otira, and that women and children are consequently suffering not only in comfort, but health, and urges the Minister tor Public Works to fulfil the promise made and at once have these conditions remedied; that this meeting urges on the Government the necessity of increasing tho wages of the workers at the tunnel to a minimum of 20s a shift.” It was also agreed to ask tho Minister for Health to station a medical man at the works, and to wait on Sir William Eraser in connection with tunnel matters generally.