OTIRA TUNNEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10282, 17 May 1919, Page 8

OTIRA TUNNEL

SPEEDING UP OF "WORK URGEDt

Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 16. At a conference of Bast and West Ogasfc delegates hold at Otira Tunnel to-day it was shown that the workmen in the tunnel were averaging 22s 10d a day, and the lowest-paid men .at Otira were receiving 15s a day. One delegate said that the Government was importing men from Australia to work in the coal mines, and they could adopt this plan in connection with the Otira tunnel. The following motion was carried : “That this meeting of representatives of public bodies of Canterbury and Westland requests the Government to come to an immediate decision with reference to the proposal submitted by Mr Parry for the electrification of Otira tunnel.” ' ft was resolved to ask to© tjovejnment to make an effort to secure the services of members of the New Zealand Tunnelling Corps now returning to New Zealand for work in the tunnel. It was further resolved to ask the Government for. men for the tunnel and, whore possible, to offer the work by contract. It was resolved —“That this conference views with alarm the statement? made that at the present rate of pro-frro-s the tunnel will not he completed within four or five years, and urges the Minister to take every stop, in his power to speed up tho work.”