FLAXMILL ACCOSMMODATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1111, 19 June 1913, Page 4

FLAXMILL ACCOSMMODATION.

NEW REGULATIONS.

Prior to last session of Parliament an agitation was raised which aimed at securing better bousing conditions for flaxmill workers. A Departmental report was obtained, and subsequently the subject was ventilated in the House of Representatives, with the result that an amendment to the Shearers’ and Agricultural Labourers’ Accommodation Act was placed upon the Statute Book, extending the provisions of the Acc to the flaxmill and sawmill workers. Regulations prescribing the conditions under which accommodation must be provided for these workers are published in the current Gazette.

It is provided that where the inspector is satisfied that the sleeping or other accommodation provided by any employer before the coming into force of these regulations substantially meets their requirements, he shall sanction the use by that employer of such accommodation for the workers employed by him. . The regulations deal with buildings, water supply and sanitation. It is provided that buildings must be raised six inches ofl the ground, except where concrete floors are used. Rooms are to be lined internally. Others provisions are; Every sleeping room shall be of such dimensions as will provide not less than 400 cubic leet of air space and 45 square feet of floor space for each person to be accommodated therein, and shall be not less than Bft. in height in any part/ For the purposes of this regulation the inspector may post up in a conspicuous place in any sleeping room a notice specifying the maximum number of persons that may be accommodated therein ; provided that not more than two persons shall be required to sleep 111 any one room, Each bunk shall be provided with a spring mattress or a mattress of chaff, straw or kapoc.

Separate rooms shall in all cases be provided for sleeping and for meals. No person shall be required or permitted to sleep in any room where food is usually kept, or in any place iisufficiently shut off from such room.

Suitable heating appliances shall be provided in some convenient room to the satisfaction of the inspector. Provision shall also be made for the washing and drying of workers’ clothes. Ample window space and ventilation, and efficient sanitary conveniences are to be provided. Also an ample supply of wholesome water, to the satisfaction of the District Health Officer.

Where any sleeping room has ceased to be occupied for any period exceeding twenty eight days, it shall be thoroughly scrubbed or otherwise cleaned by the employer before it is again occupied. During occupation the sleeping'rooms shall be kept clean by the occupants. The employer shall during the period of occupation cause all other accommodation to be kept in a cleanly state to the satisfaction of the inspector. Suitable ambulance appliances, to the satisfaction of the District Health Officer, shall be provided at every flaxmill and at every sawmill.

Permission may be given to use approved temporary accommodation for not longer than three months at one time. In the case of flaxmill employees, the inspector shall not grant a permit for the use of temporary accommodation for more than two consecutive periods of three months each, unless the accommodation is moved at least one hundred yards. These regulations, so far as they relate to sleeping accommodation, shall not apply in any case where the workers employed by any employer could, in the opinion of the inspector, conveniently reside at a boardinghouse situated not more than a mile from the place of employment, or in any case where such place of employment, is within, or within a mile of, a borough or town district. At any flaxmill where steam is used the employer shall, if so required by the District Health Officer and the inspector by writing under their hands, provide a shower bath, with a sufficient hot and cold water supply, for the use of the workers employed at such mill.