WORK AND WAGES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 214, 7 September 1905, Page 3

WORK AND WAGES.

THE NEW ZEALAND TIMBER INDUSTRY. Press Association. Electric Telegraph Copyright INVERCAHGILL, Sept. 6. The Arbitration Court is dealing with the biggest industrial dispute possible in this district, namely, sawmilling, The workers seek advances of wages, while the employers say that the conditions of trade have changed for the worse during the past two years, and that the industry cannot stand a rise of wages. The demand for timber has fallen off somewhat, and the bush on the plains is being nearly worked out. The cost of working on foothills and gullies has added 100 per cent to the cost of getting the timber, and the ! employers are now faced with the importation of Oregon pine of lengths up to 80ft at a lower price, duty paid, than red pine of 20ft lengths can be bought for, while for 30ft red pine the price is still higher. Offers of cargoes have been received here from America at an all-round price that would permit of selling Oregon a shade less than red pine, and without limit to length or breadth.

The Southland Millers' Association is said to have been doing its best to keep out importations, but if the outside speculators took up the trade the Association would be powerless. It is asserted that the Southland mill and bush hands are better paid than in any other part of the world. The men iirge that owing to the weather they work about 22 days per month, and that the cost of living has advanced greatly. The Court, after finishing the evidence here, goes to Orepuki to continue the enquiry.