LABOR LEGISLATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 188, 16 August 1901, Page 2

LABOR LEGISLATION.

PROTEST AGAINST FACTORIES

BILL,

FREEZING, WOOL SCOURING, AND TANNING INDUSTRIES?

[By Telegraph—Press Association.]

Wellington, last night.

A deputation representing the meat freezing, wool scouring, and tanning industries waited on several country members of the House this afternoon. Mr Meredith was in the chair. The object of the meeting was to protest against the provisions of the Factories Bill, so far as they 7 affect theso industries, being passed into law.

“Mr AVaymouthjof Canterbury, said that if the Bill became law in its present form it simply meant that increased cost of carrying on the meat freezing industry must fall on J)ho farmers, who would receive loss for tho raw products. The Bill would entail an increased cost in tho working of the freezing companies throughout the colony of quite twentyfive per cent, which the farmers would have to pay. Ho also pointed out that one effect of the Bill would be to upset the judgments recently given in Christchurch by the Arbitration Court, which had distinctly laid down that the labor conditions in regard to slaughtermen and tanners should remain as they were. If this Bill passed, tho ruling of tho Arbitration Court could not bo adhered to. He denied a statement attributed to the Premier that freezing companies were subsidised by Government, and said that so far from receiving any assistance from Government these companies were the most heavily taxed in the country. They were, in fact, taxed from overy corner.

Mr Sladden, of Wellington, endorsed the opinions expressed by Mr Waymouth, and added that the slaughtermen, when before tho Arbitration Court at Christchurch, had distinctly stated that they did not desire any alteration in the present condition of things, as they recognised that under the provisions of tho Factories Bill they would not be able to mako onough in tho busy season to recompense them for what they would lose in the slack season.

Mr Clark, of Canterbury, representing the wool-scouring industry, declared that it would be impossible for him under tho Bill to carry on his wool-scouring and fellmongery business. He would have to shut down, and he believed that seventyfive per cent, of the wool-scouring establishments in tho colony would also have to close down.

Mr Booth, of Christchurch, representing implement manufacturers, pointed out that the increased cost involved in this labor legislation must fall on the consumer. The special provisions contained in the Factories Bill were, he urged, utterly unnecessary. Mr Hill, of Canterbury, speaking for tho wool-scouring and tanning industries, endorsed everything that had boon said by the previous speakers. These industries could not stand any increased cost, and any extras they were compelled to faco must be takon off the raw material.

Mr Waymouth promised to submit to the members present a complete list of ihe reasons which prompted the deputa)ion to oppose the Factories Bill,