COUNTRY WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1920, Page 4

COUNTRY WORKERS.

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. BETTER ACCOMMODATION WANTED By Teleirnph.—Press Association. Wellington, May 29. Various complaints regarding the accommodation of country workers were made by a deputation from the New Zealand Workers' Union to the Minister «f l.iiinn- (Sir \V. 11. Ilerrlos) to-day. The speakers also referred tk> a number of other questions of Labor Department ildiiiinii-lrntion. Mr. Melnerney, representing the public works employees in the union, hoped the department would give its assistance in maintaining the improved state wi alTaih, brought about by the agreement with the Minister of Publio WorksMr. S. Boreham referred to the wages of Public Works employees, which matter had been reserved for Cabinet consideration. Ho contended that, prices in the back country were at least 25 per cent, higher than in the cities. The Prime Minister had said in the House that the wages for Government employees would be based on the awards of the Arbitration Court, but this is not being done. Mr. Langs ton urged that the Government labor bureau Bytsem should be improved and extended, to avoid the present, duplication with private employment agencies. The Workers' Union wished to assist in greater production, and for this purpose desired to see an end made of the waste of time ■ii'd nncrgv involved in the men running hither and thither in search of employment. Mr. Townsend asked that the Shearers' Accommodation Act should not be allowed to become a dead letter. The Wairoa farmers had stated that the Maori, did not. want improved accommodation, but they did, and they threatened to take direct notion and not shear for farmers who did not provide wlrif wiiu hi id down. The Minister: I think a great deal lias been done. Mr. Townsend r.fiid that at some places in the Wairarapa up-to-date sceommodation of the best class had been given, but side bv side were sheds which had not changed from the olil times. i 'ur Temp Won said nn amendment to the Act was required to meet cir''mnstaucex where Maoris nf both sexes were employed. He suggested that orI'fluiseM in the industry, should be appointed primary inspectors, bo as to allow them io inspect accommodation and report to the department where it wns hud.

The Minister said it was n help to the department to hear complaints of the I'nioii, so that the department might know what was really .' going on. A great step in advance .'/had been made by passing the Shearers'' Accommodation A»t. At nnv rate squatters came to him and paid they would be ijnined by it. Thcv said they could not get timber. and certainly there was a difficulty in that respect- However, instructions had been -cnt. out as to what was required, and it was intended to put the Act into operation as far' as possibly. They would admit that the accommodation had been improved, whether by tlio union or the Labor Department. I'ui.lic works matters were under the control of Mr. Coates, and the Labor Department would fall in with any decision he came to. Mr. Coates had the confidence of the Government, and nny reasonable proposition he put before Cabinet would no doubt be endorsed. Railway conferences were now in progress, and if a general bonua or w:t"es were granted it would probably apply also to other public employees. As Native Minister he had no complaints regarding accommodation for Maori shearers. If the Maoris, through their member, expressed a desire for legislation in this respect he was quite willing to carry it into effect- Of course, Maori customs were different from

European. A member of the deputation said that in some cases there was more than one family occupying one hut, and partitions were required. Anothor member said the Hon. A. T. Ngata would onlv represent the wealthier land-owning" Maoris, * and he was opposed to the union.

The Minister said he must consider the views of the Nativo members as representing the race. With regard to the other complaints, the Secretary for Labor had heard their statements and would make investigations. If there were nnv laxity in inspection, action would he taken. The labor bureau question was one of administration. If the system were extended there would, no doubt,"be complaints that the Government was monopolising; the labor supply.

Members: Why shouldn't the' Govern' ment do it?

The Minister said that every consideration would be gi/en to the request.