CHINESE GOODS

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 49, 26 August 1921, Page 11

CHINESE GOODS

FURNITURE TRADE PERTURBED

ENFORCEMENT OF RESTRICTIONS

SOUGHT.

Matters concerned with the employment of Chinese labour in the furniture trade were discussed by a deputation of employers and employees which waited upon Wellington members of Parliament yesterday afternoon in the Mayor's room. Employers were represented by Messrs. A. Monzies and B. N. Staff, and the employees by Mr. D. R. Kennedy, while the members of Parliament present were Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington Suburbs), Dr. A. K. Newman (Wellington East , Mr. T. M. Wilford (Butt), Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central), and Mr. G. Mitchell (Wellington South). Mr. Menzies explained that at a joint conference of employers and employees the position had been thoroughly considered, with the result that a committee had been appointed to . draft legislation on the subject. There was no antagonism to the Chinese provided they worked under the same conditions as Europeans. It was better to take action immediately rather than to wait until the position became more serious.

Mr. Kennedy said he recognised that the question was not a party one. The joint committee Jiacl secured all the Australian legislation on the subject, and had consolidated what it was thought was best for New Zealand. He handed to the members present copies of the proposed legislation. The Chinese, he added, were of course entitled to carry on trade in New Zealand, but it was only' fair that they should be subject to the same regulations as the European. It was hoped that the Government would adopt the proposals outlined, Dr. Newman expressed sympathy with the deputation's views, which, he agreed, the Government should be asked to incorporate in the Shops and Offices Act.

In answer to questions, Mr. Kennedy said that in February last there wore two Chinese factories in Auckland-r-to-day there were six. Representatives had already been in Wellington in search of sites for factories. The operations were being carried out by Chinese capital. Mr. Mitchell expressed the opinion that the better way of achieving the object would be to exclude, the Chinese altogether from the country. ' Members generally expressed approval of the principle stated, and it was decided that Mr. Wright should introduce the deputation, at a suitable date, to the Minister of Labour.

The proposals. of r the deputation provide for set hours of employment, and suggest that, it shall be unlawful for more than one member of a partnership to personally work inside a factory at any time beyond the periods provided in an award. unless the partnership has first obtained the written permission of the Registrar. It is further suggested that all furniture shall be visibly stamped to 1 show the maker's mark and whether it is the work of European or Chinese labour.