Ratana Rail Smash.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 June 1938, Page 6

Ratana Rail Smash.

After a long sitting, during which many witnesses have been heard, trie inquiry into the Ratana railway disaster on March 26 is nearing conclusion. Evidence was given yesterday by the driver of the train, Mr E. Percival, who described the weather conditions on the Ratana flat at the time of the derailment. Witness said he encountered fog at Ratana, and could see only the outline of the temple of the Maori pa. Further on, he added, visibility was reduced to about a chain. He was aware of the speed restriction, and when the train was travelling at about 37 or 38 miles an hour he applied the brakes and reduced speed to 25 miles an hour. He could see nothing but fog, and within a second of the brakes being released the accident happened. Labour Party Aims. The Minister of Education, the Hon P. Fraser, was given an ovation, rounded off by three rousing cheers, prior to commencing an address last night in the Dunedin Town Hall, which was packed. Mr Fraser quoted from the last manifesto issued before his death by Richard John Seddon, which, he said, was an exact parallel of the aim of Labour today:—“l believe that the cardinal aim of the Government is to provide the conditions which will reduce want and permit the very largest possible number of its people to be healthy, happy, human beings. The life, health, intelligence and morals of a nation count for more than riches, and I would rather have this country free from want and squalor and unemployed than the home of the multimillionaire.”