GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 507, 9 October 1912, Page 5

GOVERNMENT AND LABOUR.

FLAX WORKERS' CONDITIONS

LABOR MEMBERS' DEMANDS

|MY TI'XK<;H.\IMJ. I'JIKSS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, This Day.

In tho House this afternoon Mr Robertson introduced the l\n'o Water Supply to ('"laxmiils Bill, explaining that i(;a object was to secure a pure

water supply for drinking jiurpoHCfl at all fiaxmills, it having been proved that river water was not lit for human consumption owing to the lili.h which found its way into it. Mr iiohertsori complained of tho delay in dealing with tho report of the chief inspector of the Labour Department in connection with the condition:: obtaining in Manawatu fiaxmills. lie maid Mr Massey had promised labour a square deal, but labour bad not received it. Typhoid fever had broken out, there, and serious harm might bo done if

this matter worn not attended to,

Mr Massey, in response to a wish expressed by Mr 1/aurenson, said he would lay tbn report on tho table. Mr Lauronson quotnd extract from the report to show that somo filthy conditions prevailed m connection with eating and living the mills. He hoped the Government would give inmediato attention to the matter. Mr Veitch said the matter brought forward by Mr Robertson wan only one phase of the Labour grievance. No Government could all'ord to leave these matters over indefinitely. If tho Government was not prepared to do more than they bad done this session, he, for one, would not support them.

Mr Massey said lie had first seen the report on August 12(Uh, and had seen a Dill prepared to meet; tlio matter, but it had to bo destroyed as it

was useless. A Bill wan now in tlio hands of Iho Crown law otlicnr, and was just about ready for circulation. It would bo referred t<> tin; .Labour Bills Committee wit bin :> day or two.

Replying to an interjection, Mr

Massey said he did not intend to alter the constitution of the Arbitration

Court at present. lie regretted tho conditions obtaining in the Manawatu and said there was a provision in tho Public Health Act for pure water. Mr 1511 contended that tho Government's attitude in the .'natter did not show much sympathy or concern fur the welfare of tho tlax hands. After further discussion the Bill was read a first time.