IN SYMPATHY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 86, 11 April 1912, Page 7

IN SYMPATHY.

MINISTER & TIMBER WORKERS MR. LAUREN SON RECEIVES A DEPUTATION. The Minister for Labour (the Hon. George Laurenson) was sympathetic when approached by a large deputation from the Timber Workers' Conference to-day. Mr. J. Robertson, M.P., introduced wie deputation. "1 Mr. W. A. V-eitch., M.P., said ho was | present merely as a spectator, and to ..am. Tb.9 chairman of the conference, Mr. j E. Phelan, opened by congratulating the Minister on tiis elevation. They dosired, said ho and Mr. T. o'Byrne. an increased duty on all outside timber under 13 x 12, an ambulance kit at country sawmills, yards, and bushes, the j establishment of State sawmills to reduce the cost of timber, better accom- i modation for bashmen (some of whom, j ifc was stated, were placed in hovels I unfit for human beings to live in), that I wages be made a first call upon an employer in the event of bankruptcy, an investigation into tho high cost of living, especially with, regard to unneoes sary rises in the cost, state ferry ser« vice, a spedier method of converting agreements into awards, and greater expedition in reafforestation. Mr. F. C. Meyer spoke in opposition to the daylight saving proposals, and held thai the hours of labour should be fixed by agreement between employeM and. employees. Mr. Phelan said the Arbitration Court should be a laymen's court, but it was not so, and one found too many wigs round the table, Mr. F. J. Lyons asked for an amend menfc of the Workers' Compensation Act, so thai the employer should pay medical expenses up to £10 when accidents occurred, and a provision that half-pay should b* allowed from the date of an accident * Mr. J. Alsweiler said that worked-out milling areas should be cat up for settlement, preference to be given to sawmill hands, who cleared the land. Mr. F. Bicknell emphasised the question, of accdmmodationj and referred to the importation of Baltic timber products. Mr. Yeitch said that preference to unionists was required, or employment might be given to non-unionists. An injured workman was entitled to full pay ; the deputation was very modest in only asking for half pay. The failure to administer the law in regard to shearers was causing much dissatisfaction to workers. Ministers had broken promises, but he was confident that this remark would not apply to Mr. Laurenson. MINISTER'S REPLY. In reply, Mr. Laureneon said the nationalisation of the timber industry was a big undertaking. He had a good, deal of sympathy with the proposal, but' ho did not think it could be tackled in the near future. As to making workmen's wages b. .first call upon bankrupt employers, the Minister said he did not see how he could avoid leaving mortgagee a first call. To do otherwise would b© doing more injury than good, for the insurance rate would rise and the price of money be affected accordingly. ■ Coming to the question of increasing the duty on foreign timber, he replied that he "personally was very much in favour of ft, but it would mean raising the cost of building, and consequently the cost of living. At present it was hoped to have a reciprocity treaty with Australia, which would put .New Zealand in a better position. Mr. Phelan pointed out that Oregon pine was imported cheaply, cut up, and sold at exorbitant rates. The Minister : It is scandalous if that is so. Touching on accommodation, he promised to acquaint the deputation when the Press representatives left with some proposals that were earning before Cabinet. As a necessary corollary to the completion of the South Island Trunk Railway, he continued, the State should establish its ferry services and issue through tickets from Auckland to the Bluff. (Hear, hear.) This was done by English railway companies, and their example should be followed here in that respect. Every sensible man, the Minister continued, must be strongly in favour of making the Arbitration Court a layifian's court, where legal technicalities should be dispensed with, although, ' of course, nothing should be done in confliot^ with the law. A court shoold administer justice between man and man. The Minister was pleased to receive the remit regarding afforestation. The request regarding the Compensation Act was reasonable. The amount paid to workers was only half the amount paid in insurance for it, and it was time something was done. Perhaps it would be a mistake to prevent doors, etc., made in the Baltic from coming here, as they w«re necessary. He was in hearty sympathy wiih tho objects of the deputation. The delegates .thanked the. Minister and withdrew.