SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 282, 28 March 1913, Page 5

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION.

ALLEGED SHOCKING CONDITIONS. "HUDDLED' TOGETHER LIKE PIGS." By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Shearers' Conference was continued on Wednesday, Mr. Cooper-presiding. It was resolved that a deputation should wait upon the Minister of Labor, urging the necessity of amending the Industrial Arbitration Act to enable a Dominion . Union to be registered, and other matters. It was resolved that the conference should advocate preference to unionists when obtaining the next award. Various matters with regard to accommodation were debated at length, and a committee was instructed to report to the conference next day, Mr. MeLeod (organiser) said he had found in Hawke's Bay, in the course of his organising work, whares that contained no bunks at all. The workers (men and women) were huddled together at night on the floor like.pigs, and this not in one place, but in many places. Mr. Cooper (president) said he had seen them sleeping thus on open verandahs. Mr. MeLeod, continuing, said that the local constable had reported favorably in regard to one place, and yet it had been a wreck for years past. The sky could be seen through the roof. There was not a single bunk in the place, and the whole building was anchored to the "round with wires to keep it in place. Tliere were no sanitary conveniences. At another place there were 25 workers (men and women) using the same sanitary convenience. (There was only the one.) Here the roof let in rain like a sieve. That was the condition of things in many places in Hawke's Bay. His duties had taken him through the Waitotara. Stratford and Taranaki districts, and in same cases the accommodation was even worse than described previously. At one place, in a building about 14ft. x 14ft., eight Maoris cooked and slept. There was not a hunk in the place, mereiv a few dry ferns thrown on the floor. He knew that these evils existed, and that the present system of inspection was a pure farce.

Mr. Ornyndler said he had hud, as a. shearer, similar experiences. Tie had been shearing at a station'where fortvsix men were in one hut, and. though the bad conditions weie reported, to the inspector, the men got, no satisfaction. At another place, within six miles of Mn-sterton, the accommodation was,scandalous. In another case of bad accommodation there were practically no'-sani-tary arrangements for fifty wen. just a thin narlition between sleenins and eating places, and within ei<xht feet, was a drain filled with refuse. "Dead sheep and everything were left there for days; sometimes it was horrible.

Tb;' question of registry offices was debated at'length, and the conference, adjourned till next day.