The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1926. MINING ACCIDENTS

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 10

The Dominion WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1926. MINING ACCIDENTS

The distressing tragedy at the Dobson coal mine naturally has directed attention to the question of safety ptccautions in our mines. It is generally recognised that the mining legislation enacted in this Dominion compares very favourably with that of any country in the world. . Successive Ministers of Mines have shown a sympathetic regard for tlie welfare of those who work in our coalfields, and the law as it stands to-dav provides very full safeguards. The working conditions in the mines have been constantly under review; there is a strict regulation and inspection, and no effort is spated to .minimise the risks associated with what is generally regarded as an occupation calling for the exercise of care and discretion. That the calling of the mine worker is less hazardous than many people imagine is testified by the record of accidents in and about coal mines, published annually by the Mines Department. At the same time the record of lives lost indicates the necessity for the precautions taken to eliminate every possible risk. Ihe latest figures available at the moment are those of 1924, when the lives lost were 2.05 per thousand of the persons employed. This was slightly higher than the average for the past ten years. It is a noteworthy feature that in the year referred to. a marked feature of the fatal accidents was that seven out of a total of ten were haulage accidents, and that four of these were elderly men over 65 years of age. Accidents such as that at the Dobson mine fortunately have been of rare occurrence in our mines. The most serious in recent years was that at the Iluntly mine in 1914. The total of lives accidents in or about collieries in New Zealand up to 1924 was 379. The cause of the tragic happening at Dobson will no doubt be fully investigated, and the lesson, whatever it may prove to be, should be profited by so far as it may be possible to do so. I o what extent it was due to individual carelessness or misadventure may never be fully cleared up, but no effort should be spared to arrive at the cause of the explosion which had such tragic consequences. To the sufferers by the disaster the fullest sympathy will be extended. It is customary at such times to turn such sympathy to practical account in securing assistance for those deprived of their breadwinners. Some steps have already been taken in this direction, and no doubt if it should be shown, that help from the general public is needed there will be no lack of response.