FLAX-MILLING INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 250, 12 March 1913, Page 5

FLAX-MILLING INDUSTRY.

ABNORMAL WAGES. EVIDENCE BEFORE TRADES COMi MISSION. IV i Tele ■graph IVy Press As-ofiiition. ; Wellington. Last Night. K<ime surprising allegations concerning ttlie morals of flnxinill hands were madje before the Trade Commission by, Mr. IRobcrt Gardner, a well-known flaxmillfr. to-day. The point arose after the iwitness had explained that he paid somb of his hands up to £0 per week, and |in some cases over that amount. Tjiis led a. member of the Commission to enquire whether the men went on the land after some years at such work. Witness replied that of some (100 men whf» had been in his employ he knew of two: only who "had risen above their position." Sir Alfred Bateman: What is deleterious in the industry? Is it very exhausting work? \\ itiiess: No. What class of labor is it? Y)u mittht call it casual labor. Very littb skill is required. N)t to earn £fl "s (id per week? . N). T have figures here of the. wages pai( at one of my mills. Bovs are paid as nueh as £2 12s per week. Dies this condition obtain throughout ' It has been so ever since T have known the industry? AVhat is the reason? The men get their money and go off to l{he nearest race meeting. T cannot explain the reason. The amount of moTilev wasted bv the men is very large. Witness, in renlv to general questions, said that the industry this --ear was prosperous, but prices had fluctuated and i were determined by the price of Manala hemp.