The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 12th 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1009, 12 October 1912, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, October 12th 1912. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

In the House this week Mr Robertson (Otaki), asked the Premier what legislation it is proposed to introduce this session for the purpose of giving labour a square deal ? The question is brief aud no doubt refers to the Premier’s public utterances before and just after taking the reins of office. In reply the Hon. Mr Massey stated that Labour Bills proposed to be introduced this session relate to industrial conciliation aud arbitration and flaxmill and sawmill workers’ accommodation. Other labour legislation is under consideration, but time may not permit of its being introduced till next year. The well being of the workers, however, depend even more upon the prosperity of the Dominion than upon legislation, and I am pleased to be able to say the outlook at present is particularly good. The Government will do and are doing everything possible to maintain good times, good wages, and satisfactory conditions. We believe it is Mr Massey’s intention to give Labour “a square deal,” but it is absolutely impossible for any Ministry to bring about desired reforms affecting Labour or any other section of the community until they have set their house in order. First things must come first aud the Reform Ministry are working arduously and conscientiously to carry out those reforms which demand immediate attention as affecting the Dominion as a whole. In regard to the present outbreak of typhoid in the ffaxmilliug area, the blame lor remissuess in this connection cannot be laid at the door of the present dominant political parly, who are doing all in their power to better the living conditions of the flaxmill employees.

Thousands ol acres of laud along this coast are rendered useless by drifting sand. Not only does this apply to the coast line, but the sand in many localities is creeping over once fertile country in the interior. Where the laud is owned by Europeans, steps are taken, by planting marram grass and lupins, to check the drift, but native laud is neglected. We are pleased to be able to report that the Government are at last turning attention to this question, vide a letter received from Mr J. Robertson M.P., under yesterday’s date. Mr Robertson says ; “You will be glad to know that in regard to the reclamation of sand areas along our coast, I have had a

definite assurance from the Premier, Mr Massey, that experiments are being undertaken on an area within the Otaki electorate. The results of the experiment carried out by Mr W. H. Field ou his land at Waekanae will be noted, and I feel it must be very gratifying to everyone in the district that some definite steps are being taken to deal with this very serious evil.”

Thk measure introduced by Government to improve the accommodation for country workers consists of two clauses, but one of them is of considerable importance. The principal Act defines an agricultural labourer as a person employed in ‘‘agricultural, or pastoral, or flaxmilliug work of any kind,” but the term does not include a shearer. The essential clause of the Bill modifies Clause 12 of the principal Act by providing that ‘‘where an agricultural labourer resides in a house which is owned or leased by his employer, other than the private residence of the employer, and whether or not the agricultural labourer pays rent for the same, or any sum is deducted from his wages by way of rent, the employer shall provide such accommodation as is prescribed by regulations” (made under the Act of 1908). The other clause of the Bill proposes to extend the provisions of the Act, and of the present Bill to workers at sawmills in the same manner as they apply to agricultural labourers.