INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 113, 27 April 1912, Page 5

INDUSTRIAL MATTERS.

PAKEHA STRIKE SETTLED." (PRESS ASSOCIATION —OOPYRUmT.j Sydney, April 26. The Pakeha strike has been settl» cd. The steamer has sailed for Ne«h Zealand. ■. ’’ ACCOMMODATION IN FLAXMILLS. THE WORKERS DEMANDS. Wellington, April 26. A deputation from the Maaawattt, Flaxmill Employees’ Union waited on the Minister of Labour (the Hon. G. Laurcnscn) this afternoon. The. deputation represented that the ac-' conimodation provided for worker*, at the mills was not sufficient. The? deputation asked for-two new rooms,’ wire-woven stretchers’ and mattresses, bathrooms, lavatories, and 90, cn. At present, said one the accommodation was insanitary) 1 and in maiiy cases indecent. At one mill there were twenty-threu uicn in one room and no provision for privacy of any description. Unless the accommodation was set out in the regulations they would not gc t what they ought to have. Tbe dcpulatioU, also objected to the system <» con»’ tracting for labour only, which cut: them away from the advantages of the award and the Arbitration Act.Thcy urged that the Arbitration Acrfn should be amended so as to matatf, such contracts illegal. Another request of the deputation was LliAt first aid appliances should be provided at all mills on. account of thq, frequency of accidents, and that, there should be a common sittingroom for each mill. “I have been in several industries,” said one speak“. er, “-and I think the accommodation in fiaxmills is the worst I have ever* Seen.” ~. The Minister, in replying, said Mf2 Robertson, M.P., had on many weasions brought the matter under,hit notice. The requests of the dcp&tattion appeared to him very rcasouii able, more especially in regard to bathrooms and shelter from draught It was abominable that men should be compelled’to associate with thesd whose very presence was an He would get a report from the retary for Labour, and bring matter before the Cabinet withOlXjte delay. '-',7.S