SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 19, 17 October 1919, Page 10

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

A MARLBOROUGH CASE. Alleged, unsatisfactory accommodation for shearers was the subject of a question asked in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. H. Holland. He mentioned a case which had occurred 111 which a station owner hnd taken action ngainst a shearer for failure to fulfil a contract to supply a Kan? of shearers to cut out his flock. Tho defence m this case had been that tho men would not work on the station because of the bad condition of the Quarters provided, ami the Court found for tho defendant, allowing him .£5 12s. costs. He asked the Minister to see that proper inspection of quarters was made by the Department, and that station owners wore compollar l . to provide nroper accommodation. In this case, although the worker hnd won tho case, the cost? allowed would not lie nearly sufficient to compensate hr* for the trouble involved in contesting the action. . . Mr. Massey: I can only say sanctions have been given by the Department, and to all inspectors, to fee that shearing sheds and all accommodation for. shearers'are properly inspect?'] prior to the ahearw SP"°on. I shall fill tho 'attention of tho Di>portm»nt *" the report of this, case, and ask for an explanation.