ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 281, 23 August 1919, Page 9

ARTHUR'S PASS TUNNEL

BETTER CONDITIONS FOB WOKKEIIS URGED. fly 'felfsnnli-l'i-esn Association. , Christchurch, August 22. ■ At a meeting of Hie Arthur's' Pass Tunnel League, jU'r. T. 14. Y.Suddon, ALP., who lias returned lrom a visit of inspection, stated that a mile of the iiuing, etc., lenmined to be done. It was estimated mat the work would take two years, which, to his mind, was unduly long, ilo criticised iho housing conditions •at Utira, and advocated improvement, and the employment of another shift to hasten ihe completion of tho wort. He lontended that by better, ing the housing and the wage conditions, tlio work would attract labour. The following ievolutions were carried: "TJiat the members of this meeting are surprised and (oncorned to learn that miserable housing .accommodation still obtains at Otira, and that women and children are consequently suffering not only in comfort but in health, and urges tho Minister of Public Work's to fulfil • tho promise made, and at ojico have these conditions remedied." (2) "That ' this meeting urges on the Government tho necessity of inci casing the wages of workers at tho tunnel to a minimum of 20s. per shift." It was also agreed to ask the Minister of Health to station a medical man at the works, and to wait on Sir William Eraser in conuection with tunnel matters generally.