Swords Crossed When Mine Hostel Opened

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1949, Page 3

Swords Crossed When Mine Hostel Opened

1 Press Associaiion)

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INVERCARGILL, June 19. The miners ; hostel at Ohai was ofiicially opened on Saturday ' by the Secretary of Lahour and Employment, Mr. H. L. Boekett. The attehdance of the 'Minister of Mines, Mr. McLagan, was prevented by indisposition,. Amongl those present were Mr. T. L. Maedonald, M.P., Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., Hon. T. F. O'Byrne, M.L.C., Mr. C, H. Banney, chairman of the Coal Mines Councii, Mr. L. S. Edniond, chairman of the Miners' Union executive and heads of various Government departments. Mr. E. K. Sim, chairman of the Wallace County Couneil, presided at the ceremony. Mr. Boekett thanked the engineers and architeets, Ministry of Works and contractor, for their work towards the construction of the hostel. When work on the grounds was finished they would have a hostel to be proud of. To a great extent it would be a community centre for the people of the town. • "It would be in the best interests ot the industry if the hostel' were kept half empty," said Mr. Benney. "The married man is the one who attends work regularly. The shortage of coal in the last four or five years, has made the public aware of the problems. oi the coal mining industry. The people are eontent to pay taxes providing for amenities and hostels and to maintain the high wages' of the men but they expect some return. These facilities cannot be continually provided without increased production. The miners must realise they have a responsibility to the country. ' ' Mr. Edmond said that i^' Mr. Benney wanted increased production, the answer would be to supply better labour saving machinery.