WOOLLEN COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1567, 25 September 1905, Page 2

WOOLLEN COMPANY.

IMPORTATION OF - WORKERS.

' Christchurch, Saturday. ■>Mr Herons, manager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, denies a statement published that his, company is importing ] men and women from-Australia to work in the' factory elf Christchurch.' He explains that his oompany is greatly from the very keen competition that comes from the imported clothing trade, and feels compelled tojbestir itself to take prompt and active steps to meet that competition. ■ It is doing that by en«" deavoring to improve its methods of manufacture. It is trying to obtain the services of six forewomen who will be ablo to initiate the company's present factory 6taff into the improved methods of cloth*" ing manufacture that are in vogue all over the world, with the exception, praotioally, cf New Zealand. The company has made an'atterhpt to obtain these forewomen in New Zealand, but has failed. It is there* 1 fort taking advantage of the presence of ’ its factory manager in Sydney to get the necessary instructors from thatplaoe. The company’s only object is to ma>Dtain thb output of the woollen mill and clothing factory, and it hopes' soon to bo able to

largely increase the number of local hands employed in the industry. The matter came before the OhriEtchurcli branoh of the Independent Political and Labor League at its meetieg.. Mr E. Gohns, secretary of the league, who is also secretary of the Tailoresses’ Union, said that not long ago the company imported a number of girls from Australia, although their staff, of girls had been specially trained by an imported expert, and were well qualified to do the work. It is now rumoured that the company proposed to import 50 girls to replace those already employed. He moved : “ That the league exprees their sympathy with the workers of the Kaiapoi faotory, end trust that they may find means to tide them over the difficulty, and secure such conditions that would prevent its recurrence." The motion was carried, several speakers, however, maintaining that the matter was not one for the league, and it was decided to send a protost to the Premier requesting that some action restrictive of the importation of labour under contrast should bo takeq immediately, >