THE PRIME MINISTER AT HAWERA

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2319, 28 November 1914, Page 8

THE PRIME MINISTER AT HAWERA

A JIECOKD MEETING,

IBj Teleeraph—Prc« Association.!

H awera, November 27. Pile Right Hon. W. li\ Massey addressed a very largo public meeting tonight, probably the largest 011 record 111 this town. The Mayor presided. The meeting was at times interrupted by a noisy minority, but 011 the whole the 1 ronnor had a very good hearing. He dealt with the criticisms of Iho Government, and clearly showed that it had carried out its pledges in the past, and that for the future his policy was broad, progressive, and comprehensive. He spoke generally on tho lines followed in his previous speeches as reported. Referring to tile Huntly disaster, Mr. Massoy characterised as utterly unwarranted the statement that the Government was responsible for the disaster. Mr. Massoy quoted Section 08 of the Coal Mines Act of 1908 to show that the mine inspector had complete authority to suspend work or close a mino which in his opinion was dangerous to the workmen. Tho law ctherwiso provided for the regulation of the conditions generally under which work should be carried 011, especially with regard to the use of safety lamps, caution bords, and signals. He also quoted the opinion of the Solicitor-General to show that under these and other provisions of the statute inspectors had lull authority to suspend work or close the mine altogether until satisfied as to its safety. The Primo Minister also quoted a letter written to him voluntarily by a former inspector of coal mines on the West Coast, who also referred to Section 58 of the Coal Mines Act as giving any inspector of mines who had confidence in himself all'tho powers necessary to close the mines or otherwise, without consulting anyone. The Prime Minister contended, therefore, that .tho law as adjusted gave to officers of tho State full power to do whatever was necessary to deal with dangerous conditions in coal .mines/entirely as they thought fit. Under these circumstances it was not only grossly unjust, but_ absurd, to speak of Ministers as being responsible, seeing that the inspectors were invested by the law with complete authority to act independently in accordance with their own judgment on all such matters. Ho then quoted from tho report of the Huntly Mining Accident Commission, Sections > } an d 15, to show that responsibility for the accident could not m any way be, with, the Government. Mr. Massey added that ha had no desjre to prejudice any person, private or public, or prejudico in any way any prospective proceedings in the Supreme Court, but he asked his hearers to consider whether it could, with any approach to justice, common fairness, or commonsense, be said that responsibility for the disaster could bo laid to the door of tho Government. (Enthusiastic applause.) Mr. Massey referred to tho striko in terms of previous addresses, and said that under similar circumstances the Government would again take similar action. (Applause.) Tho law as now amended by the Government reduced to- a minimum the chance of further strikes.

Mr. Bartin moved, and Mr. Quin seconded, a vote of thaiks and confidence. This was met by an amendment of thanks. The chairman, amidst Eomo uproar, declared the amendment lost and the motion carried, and the meeting broke up with party cheers and counter-cheers. '