MANAWATU FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3520, 5 August 1926, Page 4

MANAWATU FLAXMILLERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of the Manawatu Flaxmiillers’ Association was held in Palmerston North on Tuesday. Mr. C. A. Loughlan occupied the chair and there were also present: Messrs. H. A. Seifert, H. Berry and W. Nye. The Manawatu Flaxmills Employees’ Industrial Union of Workers wrote stating that a conference was to he called for Hie purpose of fixing a rate for the new process of scutching, introduced by the A. and L. Seifierl Flaxmilling Company. The secretary reported that he had replied to the that it was thought best that the matter should be arranged between the Union and the Company, as the scheme had not been universally adopted. The Inspector of Awards (Mr. j. Lowden) advised that he had been authorised to endeavour to airange a settlement in the matter, and that a meeting had been called for July 31. The secretary reported that the meeting had been postponed until next Saturday. > ( Mr. Seifert stated that his father thought that the Association should have is representative a the hearing. The matter is of importance, as there was a possibility of other mills following the example. Mr. Seifert explained the scheme, but the difficulty was that day-labour was involved. The chairman stated .that really the matter to be decided was what would be a fair wage for pressing. The question of the wages at present paid by the various mills was discussed, as it was pointed out that •there was a great difference in some instances. ( The chairman explained that competent scutchers were rather scarce, and that the fact probably accounted for the difference. Various schemes for scutching were discussed, it being pointed out that in one instance a miller had 50 per cent, of his fibre placed in the “good” grade. Mr. Berry stated that at the present time the trouble was that so lono- as the hanks went in and came ouC that was all that wattered. This was wrong, for there should only be a limited amount placed on the hook. The chairman stated that he had installed the latest machine and the result had been most satisfactory, the °rade having gone up one. It was decided that the chairman and Mr. Seifert comprise a subcommittee to meet the delegates of the Employees’ Union at the conference to settle the dispute.