FLAXMILL ACCOMMODATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1021, 9 November 1912, Page 4

FLAXMILL ACCOMMODATION.

COMMITTEE’S REPORT

There has recently been a great deal of talk about the want of proper accommodation for tlaxmill hands in the Mauawatu district, and several cases of typhoid have been reported. On Wednesday afternoon an important report by Dr. H. Chesson (District Health Officer) and Mr D. Carmody (Inspector of Factories), on accommodation and sanitation at the flaxmills in the Manawatu and Horowhenua counties, was laid on the table of the House.

The report states that 35 mills, three cutters’ camps, and two private camps were visited. The officers were accompanied on their Inspection by Mr Broad (representing the Flaxmillers’ Association) and Mr Stove (president of the Employees’ Union). Every facility, it is stated, was given by the owners to make a thorough inspection of the mills, and information was in all cases freely tendered. The general impression conveyed was that the owners were in practically all instances prepared to do anything within reason that was considered necessary for the provision of proper accommodation and sanitation at the mills, and it seems only necessary that some uniform standard should be adopted for them to follow. ACCOMMODATION. The report goes on to state that at most of the mills accommodation was not satisfactory, but that it was only fair to point out that the men themselves had not taken any steps to Improve that which was provided, or even to keep it clean, and there was no doubt that a great of the accommodation could be made habitable if the men wou'd only take a little pains to do so. Only a small percentage of the men appeared to take an interest in endeavouring to keep their quarters clean and tidy, and to make themselves as comfortable as the means at their disposal would permit. The majority did not even provide themselves with blankets, and used old sacking or bales, olten in a deplorably dirty condition. The officers remark that at ihe Miranui mill, the contrast between the structural character of the men’s quarters, as provided by the owners, and the manner in which it was used by the men, was marked. In cases where the men had voluntarily elected to provide accommodation for themselves, this was, with very few exceptions, no better than the worst provided tor them by the owners anywhere. On the completion of the tour of inspection, the report states, Mr Stove felt compelled to acknowledge how much the men were to blame for the unsatisfactory conditions of their quarters, and what a great “eye-opener” the investigation had been to him. The permanent wood and iron buildings which most of the mills possess, it is stated, could, generally speaking, be made quite comfortable with slight structural alterations. The air space in most of the buildings visited was far in excess of the minimum of 240 cubic feet laid down by the Shearers and Agricultural Labourer? Accommodation Act, but the officers state that this standard is tar too low, and should be at least doubled. The windows in the buildings visited were small and badly placed, and were generally found closed. All the so-called tents on flaxmills, the report continues, are erected on wooden frames, and are covered with ruberoid or sarkiug. They thus become huts of an unhealthy type, and it is recommended that their use should be prohibited. The use of bona fide tents might be permitted for limited On some mills an iron building ii provided, with a large open fire place at one end, for the purpose of drying clothes when the men got wet while at work. The officers recommend that similar provisions should be made at all mills. SANITARY CONVENIENCES. At some of the mills visited no sanitary conveniences were provided, and at others crude attempts in this direction were made, which were in an exceedingly insanitary condition. In only one instance were the sanitary arrangements at all satisfactory. At Miranui water closets and a septic tank exist, but even here the condition of one closet was unsatisfactory. Reference is here made to the habits of some of the men. The officers recommend ihat when regulations are made to compel owners to erect proper conveniences, an obligation

should also be placed on the men to use them, and a penalty enforced for not doing so. WATER SUPPLY. Most of the mills, it is stated, have a fairly good water supply from artesian bores, wells and tanks, but seven obtain water from the Oroua and Manawatu rivers, a supply liable to serious contamination. CATERING, In all the mills visited, the report states, the food appears to be of good quality and well cooked, and the dining rooms, with very few exceptions, were well-kept, clean, airy and tidy. In some cases better provision could be made for the keeping of stores, and in two cases stores were actually kept in the cook’s sleeping apartments. DRAINAGE AND PLUMBING. Drainage and plumbing, with a few exceptions, have been quite neglected. No baths are provided at any of the mills, and it is recommended that shower baths, with hot and cold water, should be provided at every mill. Lavatory basins should also be provided. In reference to cutlers’ camps or mills working on the royalty system, it is suggested that the actual owner, and not the miller, should be made responsible for providing accommodation. Detail reports regarding the condition of each mill were attached to the general report, but were not tabled with it. RECOMMENDATIONS. The report concludes with a series of recommendations. At least 400 cubic feet of air space, and preferably 500 feet per man, should be provided, and 45 square feet of floor space per man. In very few cases was i';c existing accommodation found to be below these standards. Windows with movable sashes and glazed areas equalling one-tenth of tne floor space, are recommended in all cases. The water supply, which can be obtained from artesian bores or from raiu water tanks, should be approved by the District Health Officer.

Regulations should be framed to compel the men to keep their quarters clean. It is suggested that future awards should include a clause making it a condition that men must keep their quarters clean, and scrub the floors with soap and water once a week, and always before leaving the job. It is recommended as eminently desirable that the officers of the Labour Department should work in conjunction with the District Health Officer in all matcers relating to sanitation including ventilation, lighting or water supply or anything affecting the health of the persons employed.