PRISON LABOUR.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 87, 12 April 1922, Page 9

PRISON LABOUR.

unfair coMPErrrnoN allowed. Recently complaint was made 'by Mr. J. Wilson at a meeting of the Auckland Industrial Association that prison, labour was being used to produce road metal at a cheaper coat than private enterprise, and in consequence of sales made by the department quarry owners suffered considerably, owing to the lower price asked. The Industrial Association forwarded the complaint to the Minister in charge of the [Prisons' Department, the Hon. E. 'P. -Lee, and at yesterday's meeting of the association a reply was read stating that the matter had been thoroughly investigated. He was in receipt of reliable reports from which it was clear that Mr. Wilson was in error in regard to his statement. Une of his correspondents informed him that a private firm was practically ready to supply metal at the same price as the gaol, taking the size of the metal j into consideration. In view of this testimony, which was from absolutely reliable sources, he could not see his way. to add to the price charged local ■bodies for prison metal as had been suggested. .. Mr. Wilson: It is practically impossible to refute any' statement made by a Government official or member of Parliament. You are met with a, lot of things that are absolutely extraneous to the point. I clearly showed no objection to selling any product of prison labour provided it was sold at the market price. The Minister has completely ignored that point, and there are insinuations made that are absolutely incorrect. 1 am astounded at them. Mr. WiUon went on to say that he made the mistake of bringing this matter before the association in the particular, form he did. The association should have dealt with it from the point of view as to whether it was wise to allow prison labour to compete with private individuals. The answer received from the Minister wa3 simply abominable. "I will never do it again in that way," he added. Mr. AUum said it was a very important matter. He pointed out that the Minister had said that a private firm was willing to sell metal at the seme price as that charged for supplies from the gaol. Mr. Wilson said that the firm referred to had no plant and only made the suggestion to do it if the necessary machinery was found for them. He would be delighted to supply the metal on such terms! It was not proper fo: , the gaol to compete with private individuals. The chairman said that the association had confirmed the principle that it was unfair competition. It had gone further and pointed out that the products of prison labour from outside New Zealand should" not be admitted except at the same price as the New Zealand manufactured article. Mr. Wilson said that a local body that had been supplied with metal from the gaol for many years "had tried "to pull" a local producer into supplying metal at the same rate as the gaol. They, however, did not succeed. After further discussion Mr. Wilson said that lie was satisfied with what the association had done in the matter and the association proceeded to other business.