Flaxmilling and Contracting.

Maoriland Worker, Volume I, Issue 6, 20 February 1911, Page 10

Flaxmilling and Contracting.

The Manawatu FJaxmills Employees' Union recently sent an open letter to the Hon. J. A. Millar, Minister of Labour. This course was adopted as being Jess expensive and possibly less ineffective than the ordinary method of " deputationising." The letter was a vigorous protest against the present Government's failure to bring down legislation to deal with the contract system, when this system was admittedly being used by employers as a means of escaping the provisions of Arbitration Court awards. "In April, 1909," said the Union's representatives to the Minister, " the contract system, which owed its inception to the admitted ability of Mr W. Pryor, was started in the flaxmilling industry. Full particulars of this were laid before you by a deputation, and you promised, should the facts be borne out, to introduce legislation nullifying this attempt to defeat the Act. Such legislation would be brought down ' that session, if possible.' That the facts stated were borne out was proved by your letter of December 10, 1909, wherein you stated, regarding a proposed amendment: 'In this Bill I propose to put a clause dealing with the contract system which I hope will meet the case and also meet with the approval of the House. I hope to have this Bill circulated shortly.' With this confirmation of your definite promise before us we waited. We waited with what patience we might until July, 1910, when we again reminded you by letter of your pledge, and upon receipt of your reply we laid before each member of the House a circular containing the main facts of the contract system. .. In April, 1909, you admitted the system was an award-beater ; in December of the same year you confirmed it; in July, 1910, you re-confirmed your opinion—and now the Bill doing away with this system has been put back again 'till next session.' Wo would here say clearly and distinctly that as far as this Union is concerned the amendment may as well be put back till after November, 1911. We are weary alike of a Minister and an Administration whose main doctrine would appear to be the almighty attribute that ' a thousand years in their sight are but as a day.' "'