FLAXMILL HANDS’ GRIEVANCES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1130, 7 August 1913, Page 2

FLAXMILL HANDS’ GRIEVANCES.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER.

Wellington, August 5

A deputation from the Manawatu Flaxmill Employees’ Union, consisting of Messrs Parry (organiser), Stove (president), and Brown, waited upon the Hon. W. F, Massey, as Minister for Labour, to-day, in connection with the question of accommodation at the mills. Mr Veitch introduced the deputation.

Mr Stove asked that an inspector or inspectors be appointed similar to those under the Scaffolding Act to visit the mills. The Inspector of Awards at Palmerston could not, in addition to his ordinary duties, satisfactorily carry out the inspection of flaxmills, The appointment of policemen as inspectors was unsatisfactory. Discussing the regulations, he alleged that one of the employer’s interpretation of a spring mattress was two pieces of wood with sheep or wire netting stapled across, with a mattress of straw. He further alleged that the men were being compelled to drink bad water or run the risk of losing their jobs, and a case of typhoid had occurred through this cause. Mr Parry urged that the inspector on going round the mills should be accompanied by a representative of the Workers Union. He also thought they should have power similar to that under the Mining Act to appoint check inspectors. Workers, he alleged, were living under abominable conditions,fwhich were a disgrace to civilisation, and it was alleged that the lash of victimisation was being applied to the men by employers in many ways. Mr Brown spoke of the conditions at Tokomaru, and asked Mr Massey to prove his often-repeated assertion that he was in sympathy with the workers by strictly enforcing the regulations. Mr Veitch said the regulations were good enough for conscientious employers, but they were being evaded in many cases. The deputation also complained that one employer had let the accommodation buildings required by the regulations to a man who ran it as a toardinghouse, and charged 16s 6d a week, instead of 15s, as provided by the regulations.

Mr Massey, replying, said as a result of the complaints made last year an Act had been passed and regulations framed. Nothing much was wrong with the regulations, although there might be something wrong with the administration. He stated that had it not been for the illness of an inspector a special inspection would have been made. He was going to appoint a special inspector to look after the mills in the Manawatu (Deputation: “Hear, hear”), and would get a report from him every month. If the millers did not comply with the regulations they would have to accept the consequences. He would keep that promise.

Mr Brown : Will that promise be kept immediately. Mr Massey: Certainly.