BUSH TRAMWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 July 1922, Page 5

BUSH TRAMWAYS.

BETTER INSPECTION URGED. THE GOVERNMENT BLAMED. By Telegraph.—Press Association Wellington, Last Night. Delegatee from the recent conference of the New Zealand Timber Workers’ Federation waited on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Works and the Minister in charge of the inspection of machinery to-day. The deputation held that the Government, as it had not taken the necessary steps to enforce the inspection of bush tramways, was directly responsible for the deaths and injuries which had taken place. The Hon. J. G. Coates said it was evident his instructions had miscarried, as he had instructed that all applications by representatives of workers for inspection of tramways and bridges were to be granted. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said his instructions were that the utmost care should always be taken to preserve human life. He said he would also look into the subject of accommodation for married men. Mr. Massey said he would ask the Minister for Labor for a report on the proposal of the deputation that a royalty of a penny per hundred feet be paid on all timber, for the purpose of establishing a fund from which the Government could subsidise the workers’ sick and accident fund, and the matter might be dealt with this session. He would have inquiries made into the statements made as to the disposal of timber lands on the West Coast.