Timber Workers' Request

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1921, Page 3

Timber Workers' Request

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS. WELLINGTON, July 8. A deputation from the Timber York ers’ Conference waited to-day upon the j Acting Prime Minister and the Minister of Public Works, asking for vnri--1 ous amendments of tho Arbitration Act atid other laws. They desired an 1 amendment to enable Dominion agiee meats to be made between federations 1 arid asked a forty-four hours week and •payment of all medical expenses in a<1 eident eases; Strong complaints were made about the administration of th' Inspection of Machinery Act. It "adeclared that the spirit of the Act'" a being evaded, particularly by dairy factories. Safety of life and limb should be the first consideration. Inspection of machinery plant as well as engine and boilers was desired. Ihe deput.i tion asked that employers should he compelled to insure workers before en gagiiig labour, as it was no use claiming compensation from a mat) ol stm" They also asked for workmen’s inspect ors of sawmills, and that the men’s re presentative should accompany the Government inspectors on their rounds Complaint was made that the Act passed last year for the inspection oi bush tramways and bridges bad not been put into operation, though, for example, many West Coast tramways and bridges were in a perfectly disgraceful state. Legislation compelling sawmillers to provide bathrooms, and drying rooms for men, and provide a- ; a minimum four-roomed huts for mar ried men, also was asked for, and that wages should lie made the first claim on it bankrupt estate. Sir Francis Bell replied that lie must first consult bis colleagues on matter-; requiring legislation, but he added; ‘1 agree with your principle that machin ery should be efficiently inspected, and that the first consideration should la protection of life and limb. Your re presentations on that point will be more than carefully considered by n--It is j list the sort of tiling that I thin a body like yours has every right to bring before the Government. l > wiM deal with it through my officers, in entire sympathy with what you have vut forward.” The Hon. J. O. Coates said that r garding complaints concerning bus!’ tramways and bridges, all the re’ had to do was to imply to the nearesi district; engineer of the Public Works Department, and it was his business l at once appoint a man to inspect :■ m I see if if was in a fit There was n reason why some members of the union should not accompany the inspectors.