NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4387, 18 March 1909, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

The last development in the struggle tor existence of the flax industry has been the issue of the workers’ union of a manifesto to its members. Tint Fdax The employers argue that INDUSTRY, the industry can existonly if the men employed in it will accept lower wages than those provided hy the Arbitration Court. The workers take quite a different view of the case Their manifesto states that six months ago “ persistent and frequent misstatements in regard to wages and labour conditions in the industry were being circulated in the public Press. ” The Union decided that none of these should be allowed to pass unheeded, and since then it has sent some sixty letters

to different newspapers. The manifesto . suggests that erroneous statements were . 1 circulated in preparation • for the tight which the employers knew would take 1 place when they brought forward their ’ suggestion that the Arbitration Court should revise its award. ‘ The question I adds the Union’s executive, “is whether . we are going to see the work of the last i rouple of years undone in as many’months 1 for the benefit of a cheque . . • whether by preserving an unbroken front we are going to hang on to the living , wage awarded to us by the Court. . Your < committee fully realised how hard it is to keep the idea of notification constantly in view amongst the members of the 1 Union who are so scattered as ours are, but they want each individual member , to (keep this thought screwed right in at the back of his head. The union has got its back against the wall of the Arbitration Court and the Association is trying to get behind it. The time has gone past for a policy of polite indifference.” The manifesto is vigorous, but its weak point is that it does not traverse the statements that have been j made by the employers regarding the ( need for a reduction of wages in view oi the fall in the price of hemp. The Union has asked for a commisson of inquiry to study all the circumstances, but in the meantime it is not enlightening the public on the points in dispute.

* * * * * * The task of draining the huge Piako Swamp, consisting of some 90,000 acres, is proceeding apace and there is now stated to be every inDraining dication that an under Piako Swamp taking which was regarded as being somewhat venturesome, will prove a big success. Since the work of reclamation began something over a year ago, over 1-0 miles of drains have been cut and one is in full flowing order, with the result that some 20,000 acres of land which formerly was under water is now completely dry. In fact, it could for the most part be opened for selection to-morrow, and being generally of very rich quality, it is considered there would be a big demand for it; but it is necessary fiist to construct roads and provide means of access. This will be done as quickly as possible, and it is anticipated that by next year a very considerable portion of the whole area will be opened for settlement. Over about half of the reclaimed area, which a short time ago was under water, flax is coming up in every direction, and in strong growth. A very large number of roots of the best white flax were procured from the Makerua Swamp Company, and these have taken root splendidly. Under the Hauraki Plains Act, 1908, the Government is empowered to issue debentures to the amount of £BO,OOO for the purpose of draining the swamp—which, it will be recalled, was purchased by the Crown from the natives some ten years ago at a very small cost. It is now considered probable that the whole of the work of reclamation will be carried out for something like £60,000, and the result will be the addition to the landed estate of the Crown of 90,000 acres of very reliable country. Most of it is suitable for dose settlement, and it is hoped that next year quite a large area will be put on the market. The work of reclamation is being carried out under the direction of Mr Breakwell, C.E., who Was the I engineer in charge of the drainage of the Makerua Swamp.