HUNTLY DISASTER

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2279, 13 October 1914, Page 7

HUNTLY DISASTER

THE ROYAL COMMISSION "SPEEDING UP" THE REPORT 'A question in regard to tho Commis- ( fiion appointed to inquire into the circumstances ■of the Huntly colliery disaster was put to the Prime.Minister in the House last evening by Mr. Russell (Avon). Ho drew attention to tho fact that the Commission, after completing tho taking of evidence last week, had adjourned until October 22. He considered that tho Government had acted rightly in setting up the Commission with, such dispatch, but tho benefit of this celerity would bo greatly negatived if the Commission was not going to meet again for nearly a fortnight. He understood that ono of tho reasons for the long adjournment was the time occupied in • transcribing the evidence. He suggested that the time thus occupied could be greatly shortened if tho assistance of members of the Hansard staff ww& obtained. Tho notes could be read over and the typing could thus be distributed with a great saving of time. Mr. Massey: Do you suggest that the services of the Hansard staff should be taken for the purpose? Mr. Russell: Yes. I have no doubt that the. members of the Hansard staff would be very glad to give a portion of their time in the mornings for the purpose. It was desirable that the report of the Commission should be tabled before the. end of the session, especially as there was a Mines Bill to come before the House. Whoever was responsible for the disaster —whether it was tho mine owners, the officers of the Government, or whoever it might be—Parliament should have the opportunity "of discussing the matter with the evidence before it. If the Commission did not meet again till October 22, and it then had to review the whole of the evidence before preparing its Teport, there-would be no likelihood of the matter coming before tho House or of it being considered as it should be in' connection with the Coal Mines Bill. He suggested that the Commission should communicate with the Chairman of the Commission and offer to place the services of the Hansard staff or a private shorthand staff at the disposal of the Commission. Mr Massey said that the Commission had not communicated with him or with the Minister of Mines, and all that he knew regarding the adjournment was what he had read in the newspapers. The Government was determined to have the matter thoroughly sifted, and the blame put on tho right shoulders. Mr. Russell: I do not question that. Mr. Massey said that the Government would do all it could to havo tho Commission's report submitted to the Governor prior to the end of the session. The Commission had tho power to em r . ploy as many shorthand writers as it felt inclined. Mr. Russell asked the Prime Minister whether he would make a suggestion to the Chairman of the Commis-' sion in regard to extra assistance. *Mr. Massey: Yes, I will do that.' Mr. Wilford (Hutt) referred to the statement made by the Chairman of the Commission to the effect that it had no power to investigate the allegations regarding victimisation, and whether he would have this matter inquired into by either the present Commission or another Commission? Mr. Massey. said.he would bring the matter before the Cabinet at.an early date.

HUNTLY MINES CLOSED. f. " "PERMITTED" EXPLOSIVES. (By Telegraph—Press .Association.) ' Auckland, October 12. The Extended Mine.and Ralph's Mine at Huntly closed down, this morning, the only men employed being those who are getting coal to keep the pumps going. Ralph's Mine will probably bo closed for two months, pending the arrival of "permitted" explosives from England. An explosive manufactured in Auckland is now being experimented with, and so far it has given fairly high tests, but a more severe trial will be given shortly. The explosive, however, will first have to bo sanctioned by the Government before being used in the mines. _ ' The township-of Huntly presents the appearance of strike times, the streets being filled with idle men. TRADES HALL RELIEF FUND. The joint secretaries (Messrs. L. M. 'A. Eearden and J. Read) acknowledge receipt of the following amounts:— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged ... 893 8 7 "Eangitikei Advocate" 63 15 0 "Taranaki Herald" 15 0 0 Otago Provincial Executive N.Z. Farmers' Union ...'... 5 0 0 E. C. Jack , 10 0 Masterton Executive N.Z.~ Farmers' Union 100 0 0 Brooklyn 0 5 0' Total 1068 8 7 The following goods have also been received to be disposed of by sale: — ... R. J. Seddon (gramophone), £12. M. Walsh (case of pipes), £3. Mrs. A.. L. Herdman has kindly promised to provide' a parcel for the children in distress. "THE DOMINION" RELIEF FUND. A fund for the relief of sufferers in the Huntly disaster is now open at The Dominion Office. We have to acknowledge the following donations:— £ s. d. Previously acknowledged ... 30 12 0' ''G.E.P." 2 0 0 •"M.S." , 10 0 Total 33 12 0