WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 May 1918, Page 5

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

SHEARERS' A<XX>MMO(DATIOE STARTLING AIiLBQATIIDNS. (Special Correspondent) Wellington, May MIf the statements made by the members of the deputation from tie Agricultural and Pastoral Workers' Union that waited upon the "Acting-Minister of Labor, the Hon. W. H. Hemes, on Wednesday, are to be trusted, the legislation dealing with shearers' accommodation placed upon the Statute Book a quarter of a century ago has (been shockingly administered in these later years. It was alleged by the reputable representatives of Labor from almost every pastoral district in the Dominion that on some sheep stations men and women workers were being herded together in venahMDfected buildings, without any regard to decency or comfort cr health. On many stations there was no provision, for washing or bathing or sanitation of any kind, and only here and there were the minimum requirements of the law observed. The members of the deputation did not confine themselves to generalities. They gave names and places and time, and urged the Minister to make independent inquiries on Ids own accountIP POSSIBLE! The Minister"* reply to the representations made to him was not calculated to reassure the members of the deputation. They had told him quite plainly what they thought of the Government's failure to administer the law. It was a disgrace to the country it was criminal, and it was characteristic of the Department. Mr Hemes was benignly surprised to hear the portion was so bad. According to official reports improvements bad been effected in sheds which had been the subject of previous complaints; the Department had endeavored to compel employers to observe the law; all the stations mentioned would be inspected, and, if possible, improvements would be made; any proposals for amendments to the law would be submitted to Mr. Massey with a view to action next session, and so forth and so on. When the political head of the Department is in two minds as to the possibility a£ remedying such, conditions as the members of the deputation alleged, it is little wonder the Department itself is Bomesbst less virile than it was ia: the-daya of its tasty youth.