Tribute To Mr. Webb's Work For Miners

Chronicle (Levin), 11 October 1948, Page 5

Tribute To Mr. Webb's Work For Miners

— Press Association }

(Per

GREYMOUTH, Oct. 11. "He will be rememibered as one who used1 his gifts ancl courage in . puttinig right the wrongs of an economic system which he could not reConcile with his sense of justiee, and it is no flattery to say that Mr. Webb was ' the greatest Minister of Mines this country has known. With these words, Mr. P. C. Webb's successor, the present Minister of Mines, Mr. McLagan, summed up the work of -Mr. Webb as he unveiledl a striking full-sized coloured portrait of the former Minister at the Blackball miners' hall 011 Saturd'ay. Mr. McLagan reviewed' Mr. Webb's work and said he had raised the standards of wages and living conditions for miners to new and unprecedented heights. "We hope to work the mines much more efficiently than the private owners ever could," said Mr. McLagan. "We intend to work them in co-opera-tion with the mine workers themselves, because otherwise they can't be used to the best advantage." Mr. McLagan outlined many improvements made in the conditions of the miners since 1935. The Mines Department had built 151 homes for rental purposes, ineluding 29 in the Grey district, and had made housing loans; availabie to the extent of £15,735 last year for the erection of 11 new homes and the purchase of another 11. Hostel accommodation for 24 men was being provided at Blackball and the department was investigating the position at Runanga and Dobson. Next month the Huntly Hostel, to accommodate 100 men, would be opened- and accommodation for 64 was being provided at Granity. In addition, authority to erect 220 State houses had been given, including 50 at Reefton, 20 at Granity and Ngakawau, 20 at Dobson and ten at Waimangaroa. In the provision of amenities in and about mining townships, £23,530 had been spent by the Government since 1935, including over £3000 last year, said Mr. McLagan. These amenities included 11 swimming baths, 22 sports areas, 18 tennis c'ourts, eight croquet greens, eight public halls, 18 bowling greens and 16 libraries.