LABORERS UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1821, 30 July 1906, Page 2

LABORERS UNION.

At Dunedin on Wednesday last, a deputation from the General Laborers' Union waited on the Minister for Lands to endeavour to bring about a better state of affairs for workers. They asked that laborers employed at the railway station be paid fortnightly (instead of four-weekly) and that something should be done to have more frequent sittings of the Arbitration Court. It was suggested that -be Conciliation Board's finding should be midiug until superseded by an award, ihc union would like legislation to prevent money lenders from financing working men to enable them to take large com tracts, as it led to low wages being paid. Air S Boreham spoke of co-operative works, and complained of ’ money being kept back;'also that the Labor bureau constituted itself a debfc-colceting agenev. Complaint was made of coal heavers' in the railway engine sheds not being paid o\ citime, whilst in the running sheds a few yards away overtime was paid. Another member of lha deputation oomplained of how he had been treated or being sent to the North Island railway After working hr a month he left an order that money be sent to his wif'' in Dunedin. He reaohed homo penniless, and found that no money had been sent to bis wife, who was destitute, He left on February 23rd, and -he mom had not pel come to band. Ht, cju d produce pav« jbeets to boo w that men wer earning 2< lid per day, and had to pay a shilling for a loaf of bread. Yet the Government were importing navvies. Ha was pr Ppft - P d c.. get four to five hundrrd tmn to go to Go I vernment wods if they could be sure of reasonable treatment. |

Tbe Minister said the Labor Depart, ment was not under bis control, but he would bring the masters the notice of the Minister in charge. Possibly the uoion would be asked togivo more specific information as to dates and names. The Government did not want men to work for nothiog. If aome of the charges were proved it would mean that porno of those in obarge would get notice* to find work elsewhere. Mr 8. Boreham submitted an offer to coustruot, with 106 meD, the length of railway from Clyde to Cromwell for 4185,000, as against the engineer’s estimate of 41200,000.

Mr DuDoan said it was one thing to I make assertions and aoothor to do lha I work.