Page 8 Advertisements Column 3

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 202, 21 May 1919, Page 8

SHEARERS Sir,—After reading tho artt-K regard* ing tho above, which was authorised by the Minister of Labour (the Hon. W. H. Hemes), it is very noticeable that neither ho nor the Secretary lor Labour (Mr. ]?. W. Ron'ley) made any attempt to repudiate the statements made by tiie deputation., On tho contrary, both gentlemen practically admitted that the scandalous conditions referred to do exist, and all that they havo conjointly said is only excusing tho wealthy sheepownors who employ Maori labour. Mr. Rowley would lead your readers to boliovo that native women and girls aro not employed in the shearing industry, where as a matter of fact they are. And, further, tho union and tho deputation has only reported on the accuuimodation ptovided for the workmen actually iu liio employ of tho various wool-kings, whosa accommodation has from timo to time been reported. Certainly 1 havo ridiculed the. idea of a mere inspection being made. A visit from tho Hut Accommodation Inspector is not all that is needed. What my union wants is, firstly, tho old Act burnt. Secondly, a Hill introduced and put into operation that will remove the scandalous conditions now existing on the majority of tho sheep stations in .New Zealand. It is evident that Mr. Rowley also agrees that tho old Act should bo scrapped. Ho mentions one difficulty in the present Act as not being applicable to places whore fewer than six shearers are employed. Ho therefore agrees with me that tho lives of workers employed en small places aro just us valuable us ihobu who a.ro employed on Wg places, and surdy tho Minister of Labour -would not allow tho men who work in small sheds to livo in pigsties or-roost with tho fowls on hen-roosts, or, to bo accommodated under such conditions n6 tho seamen from tho Manuka were provided with cu Somes Island—l am, etc., C. GRAYNDLER, ■ Goneral Secretary, N.Z.A.P.U. ' May 15, 1919. ,