TIMBER WORKERS.

Grey River Argus, 21 July 1922, Page 5

TIMBER WORKERS.

CABWET WAITED ON. BETTER TRAMWAYS INSPECTION NEEDED. LEVY FOR ACCIDENT FUND. WELLINGTON, July 20. Delegates from the recent conference of the New Zealand Timber WorKcrs' Federation waited on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Works, and the Minister in charge of the Inspection of Machinery to-day. The deputation held that the Government had not taken the necessary steps to enforce the inspection of bush tramways, and was directly responsible for the deaths and injuries which had taken. place. Hou. T. E. Coates said that it was evident that his instructions had miscarried, as lie had instructed that all applications by representatives of the workers for the inspection of tramways and bridges were to be granted. Hon. G. Anderson said that his instructions were that the utmost care should always be taken to preserve human life. He said he would also look into the subject of accommodation for married men. Mr Massey said that he would ask the Minister of Labour for a report on the proposal of the deputation that a royalty of one penny per hundred feet be paid on all timber for the purpose of establishing a fund from which the Government could subsidise the workers’ sick and accident fund. The matter might be dealt with this session. He would have enquiries made into the statements made as to the disposal of timber Jands on the West Coast.