SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 29, 29 October 1919, Page 10

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

PROVISION FOR BETTEH QUARTERS. The Shearers' Accommodation Bill was circulated last night This measure was promised by the Prime Minister several weeks ago. The Bill provides that factory inspectors, and inspectors under the Agricultural Labourers' Accommodation Act, aro to be deemed to bo inspectors under the Act, and that other inspectors mny be appointed as may be required. Every such inspector is to liavo power to enter all shearing sheds in which shearers aria employed, or any quarters' in which shearers may be accommodated. The Bill proposes that it shall bo the duty of every employer to provide suitable accommodation for persons employed by him as shearers. And accomodation is not to be deemed to be sufficient unless there aro separate sleeping and dining quarters, unless there is a sufficient supply of furniture, of necessary utensils, of drinking and • washing water, and unless proper provision is made for lighting, heating, ventilation, and sanitation. 'Dhe minimum air space per person in the sleeping quarters is to be at least •tSO. cubio feet. Immediately prior to.the employment of shearers in any season the shearers' quarters shall be fumigated and disinfected bv the employer to the satisfaction of tho '■inspector. Suitable provision is to be made for tho storing of meat and other perishable food for tbe use of sheaiera. Suitable first aid appliances are to be on hand. _ " Discretionary power is given to the inspector to dispense with or modify any of the foregoing provisions as to accommodation in the caso'Of anv accommodation provided before the coming into , operation of tho Act, in any case where he is satisfied that giving to special circumstances it has not been possible to provide the accommodation required by tho Act, in tho case of shearers living immediately near their worlc, and in any case where he is satisfied that any such requirement is unnecessary. ■ , An employer may appeal to the Magistrate against tho decision of the inspector, and tho Magistrate may confirm, modify, or cancel the notice given to the employer by tho inspector. If the employer within the time specified in the notice served upon him bv tho inspector, or, in the case of appeal, within the timo specified in the order of the Magistrate, fails to comply with any such dotice or order, lie is to ho liable to a fine of .£25, a:nd to a continuing penalty of £2 per day for so long as he 6hail fail to comply with the direction of the inspector or the Magistrate. Shearers are to keep the accommodation clean, and a penalty of .£5 may 'be incurred by anv shearer for wnful damarre to any of'the property of the employer. _ , Every employer is required to give ..to the inspector at least one month's notice of the date on which he intends; to begin shearing, and if ho fails to give such notice he is to bo liable to a fino of £25.' • • Power is being taken by the bovernorGeneral to make regulations prescribing tho details of the accommodation to be provided, and for tho maintenanco of this accommodation in a clean condition. A general penalty of .£25 is provided tor offences against the regulations to be so made.