MR SEMPLE’S PROTEST

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1934, Page 7

MR SEMPLE’S PROTEST

GIRLS AT FREEZING WORKS. WELLINGTON, August 17. Air Macmillan moved 'in the Douse for leave to introduce the Slaughtering and Inspection Amendment Bill. Air Semple protested against the employment of young girls in freezing works, and askefl the Alini.ster to investigate the matter and have it stopped. Mr Polson said that to the best of his knowledge no women or girls were employed in freezing works Su-cU a practice was highly undesirable. If it were found to be a fact the Mini iter should see w'hat could be done about i~ Mr Cobb© said that, he had been chairman of directors of a freezing works for six years. He knew of no girls employed at such works except in th e office as typists and clerks. Air Richards, said he had been told by two reliable persons that girls had been employed at freezing works at Otahuhu, at wages ranging from 25s to 32s 6d a week. ll e did not know if the girls were still employed, but he urged the Minister to have investigation made. Air Dickie said hp knew of no women being employed in the Slaughtering department They were employed in the bag-making deparnient. He did not think any reputable firm would employ women in the slaughtering department. Air McLeod said he was informed that no women wei-p employed in the freezing works in Wellington and Hawke’s Bay, but it had been suggested to him that women were employed in works in thp Auckland province in certain departments, where he considered no women should lie employed. Mr Al'ncmillian, replying, said he waadvisied that no women were working in freezing works, except at bag-mak-ing, or pasting labels. He was pre pared to have an investigation made, but. he doubted if that Bill was the proper method ty deal with labour conditions.

The Bill was read a time, and a. second time pro forma, and referred to the Agricultural Pastoral and Stock Committee.