WELLINGTON TOPICS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1919, Page 6

WELLINGTON TOPICS

! TEE COAL SHORTAGE. i "ROOT OF THE TROUBLE." (Special Correspondent) , Wellington, May 19. The statements made by Mr R. 1 Setuple, M.P., as an invited guest at the ' conference between the A. M. j Myers, the Minister of Supplies, and the local coal dealers, concerning the extremely unsatisfactory living conditions at some of the mining villages, were repeated in effect, by the representatives of the Miners' Unions that waited upon Sir James Allen, the Acting-Prime Minister, and the Hon. G. W. Russell the Minister of Health, on Friday. These j villages, they declared, had no drainage ■' arrangements, no water supply, and no j conveniences or attractions of any kind.; They were insanitary, dirty and germ j infested, entirely unsuitable for places of residence and a peril to the whole country. Unless something were done to improve their surroundings the miners in justice to their families and themselves would leave these places and seek employment elsewhere. MINISTERIAL SYMPATHY. In rprying to the men's representations Sir James Allen said that he was in entire sympathy with the sufferers . from ths conditions described and would promise that whatever Government might happen to be in office improvements -would be effected. Mr Russell, speaking at greater length, said the question of sanitation at Blackball had been under consideration by the Health i Department, for the last five years and that its efforts to effect improvements had been frustrated by the vesed interests concerned. The legislation passed last sessiop, however, gave the Department much extended powers and he, as Minister in charge of the Department, was determined to see these powers were exercised for the benefit of. the miners and their faroili-:? Inquiries were being made and action would follow quickly. LABOR LEADER'S VIEW. i Mr Semple when seen about the matter this morning said he sincerely hoped the Ministers' promises would be translated into actions. There had been delays in the past which had seemed to him, and to other people acquainted with the facts, quite unnecessary and inexcusable, but he would be content to let by-gones be by-gones if the men and, what was even more important, the women and children were given wholesome and happy living conditions. The matter was of vast importance to the dustrial troubles that arose at the mines dustrial troubles hat arose at the mines were due to the miserable living conditions. These undoubtedly were at the root of the coal shortage and would continue to create trouble of that and other kinds till hey were removed. WAR ON POLITICS, s Though the Hon. G. W. Russell's very cordial invitation to General Sir A. H. Russell to enter the political arena probably was merely a passing inspiration, it is being very warmly endorsed by members of all political parties here. The General has a personal charm which had made him extremely popular long before he achieved his present military distinction and had he cared to enter Parliament lie might have done so years ago. But he chose the better part, as many of his friends thought at the time, and was content to confine his public activities to a less turbulent sphere. Now, however, he has equipped himself by his war experience with many qualifications for civil service and there will be disappointment among Liberals, Reformers, and all the minor parties should he not be a candidate at the approaching election.