DEMANDS OF LABOUR.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 10716, 9 October 1912, Page 5

DEMANDS OF LABOUR.

SQUARE DEAL ASKED FOB, §

MANAWATU ELAXMILLEKS* q GRIEVANCE. (By Telearav'iv—r.r-j.. Association.} WELLINGTON, Last Night. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, Mr J. Robertson introduced tho Pure Water Supply to Flax Mills Bill. He explained that its object was to secure a pure water supply for drinking purposes at all flaxmills, if; having been proved that river , water was not fit for human consumption, owin gto the "filth which found its way into it. Mr Robertson complained of the delay in dealing with the report of the Chief Inspector of the Labour Department in connect ion with the conditions obtaining in the fiaxmills in. "Manawatu. He said Mr Massey had. promised labour a "square deal," but labour had not received it. Typhoid fever had broken out there, and serious harm might be done if this matter wcro not attended to. The Hon W. F. Massey, in response to a wish expressed by Mr G. Laurenson, said he would lay the report on the table. <# Mr Laurenson quoted extracts from. the report, to show that some filthy conditions prevailed in connection with easing and living at the mills. He hoped the Government would give immediate attention to the matter. Mr W. A. Veitch said the matter brought forward by Mr Robertson was only, one phase of the Labour grievances. No Government, could afford to leave these matters over indefinitely. If. the Government was not prepared to do more than they had done this session, he for one would not support them. The Hon. W. E. Massey said he had first seen the report on 26th and had seen the Bill referring to the matter, but it had to be destroyed, as it was useless. A Bill was now in the hands of the Crown Law Office, and was just about ready for circulation. It would be referred to tho Labour Bills Committee within a day or two. Replying to an interjection, Mr Massey said he did not intend to alter the consittution of the Arbitration Court at present. He regretted the conditions obtaining in the Manawatu, and said there was provision in the Public Health Act for pure water. Mr H. G. Ell contended that the Government's attitude in the matter did not show much sympathy with or concern for the welfare of tfye flax hands. ...;..„ .:,2T: -^ After furhter discussion, the Bill was read a first time.