THE GOVERNMENT STATIONERY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 964, 3 November 1910, Page 11

THE GOVERNMENT STATIONERY.

PLACINC OF ORDERS AT HOME. ALLEGATIONS OF "SWEATING." Considerable interest attaches to a question which Mr. M'Laren, M.P., recently asked in Parliament. Ho wanted to know under what conditions and circumstances supplies of manufactured stationery are procured from firms in Great Britain, or elsewhere outside of the Dominion. Other queries which Mr. M'Laren put to the Hon. J. A. Millar were: Whether such supplies are tendered for, and, if so, when accepting any tender does he take into, consideration the matter of the labour conditions of those employed in the manufacturing of the said goods, or take cognisance ns to whether the"businesses of the contracting firms are run as "fair shops" or not; and further, whether such supplies cannot be as well made and procured in the Dominion? He went on to say that from a communication which ho had received from the Bookbinders' Trade Society, London, it waa made clear that certain firms were recognised as "fair shops," whilst others cut rates to an excessive extent, and it would appear that .the New Zealand Government was securing supplies from an "unfair shop." The following was given him as an example of the undercutting referred to:—Largo imperials, 20 liy li, one section,- threadstitched, bound full; marbled paper; price paid for covering, Bd. per gross — the right price should bo at least Is. 6d. per gross—this job is interleaved for copying. Replying in the House yesterday, the Hon. J. A. Millar said that tenders are invited periodically in Great Britain and Now Zealand for the supply of papers, etc., required by tho Government Printing Offico,. including some items of manufactured stationery, such as aro largely used, and, owing to specialising, cannot be manufactured in the Dominion at rates bearing any proportion to tho cost in Britain. This is evident from the fact that no firm in tho Dominion has hitherto tendered for these items. When additional room is provided in the Government Printing Office some of these items may bo tuamifactured there. With the present accommodation that is impossible. With referenco to the matter, Mr. M'Laren stated further that he had received indisputable evidence to the effect that supplies for tho New Zealand, Government were secured at Home from "sweated" offices. That kind of "specialising" should not be countenanced in New Zealand. From what to could gather, one firm which supplied tho Government was notorious for cmploying cheap female labour. To secure_work under those conditions was not fair cither to the workers at Home or to the workers of New Zealand.

"It-will be remembered," commented Mr. T. E. Taylor (Christohurch North), that an exhibit of sweated goods was somo few years ago sent all round the Dominion. 1 ' , .

Ihe Hon. J. A. Millar said that his attention was drawn to the matter some time ago. The local workers promised to make inquiries. Thero was not a firm in New Zealand which tendered for ; the work in question. The Government was' not awaro that any work was being done for New Zealand at Homo by unfair;, houses. There were some lines which -could not bo turned out in New Zealand at tho same cost as was the case at Homo. More accommodation was needed at the Government Printing Office. Tho High Commissioner would be asked to inquire into the matter. '

Mr. M'Laren: Is' thero a fair rate of wages clause in the contract? Mr. Millar: I don't know, but I will see. to'it.