STARVING BUSHMEN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 99, 24 May 1909, Page 2

STARVING BUSHMEN.

EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Saturday

Before the Timber Commission, Jlr. Charles Ilutton, contrnctor at Taihape, drew a pitiful sketch of the condition of the timber workers in his district. The cost of living all along the Jlain Trunk line was'exceptionally high, and married men felt the distress most keenly. Ue considered the importation of Oregon pine was the principal cause of the distress. The railway being finished there was now no other work for them.

To Mr. Jennings, he said the children have clothes made of (lour bags, Henry Donovan, of Taihnpe, gave evidence from the workers' point of view, lie said he thought the price of limber might Ik' regulated in order to protect the consumers. Oregon should be shut out.

To Jlr. Jennings: If land were thrown open to men out of work at Taihape they would bo glad to get in. Jlr. Ilutehcson, railway storekeeper at l'etone, said millers had been slow in supplying Oovornniont orders io fiTs Department. Xo doubt the test timber had to undergo had something to do with it. .Tavrah had to be imported in large quantities. Xativc timbers could not be used for bridge work. Alexander Campbell, a builder, gave evidence advocating tin- free importation of Oregon, lie said it was much cheaper and better to work than native timbers for house-building. Jlr. Jennings.' read letters he had just received from a man and his wife who stated they were on the verge of starvation. He had a dying child, and had been compelled to beg a bit of fat from a neighbor to make a lamp to stru<wlc in the dark "to get -the rhh.l whatever we can catch for her." The man was unable to get work even though he offered to work for food only.

Mr. Jennings asked a witness before the Commission if these letters repicsented tlie actual 6 tate of affairs nmonthe workers along the Main Trunk line, and the reply was to the oll'eet that the position set out was not overdrawn.