COUNTRY WORKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17484, 31 May 1920, Page 6

COUNTRY WORKERS.

ACCOMMODATION AND WAGES

DEPUTATION TO MINISTER. '

A SYMPATHETIC HEARING.

[BT TELEOHAPH.—mKSS ASSOCUTION.J ;;" ''" - ; WELLINGTON, Saturday.

Various complaints regarding the accommodation, of country workers wero made by a deputation from the New Zealand Workers' Union to the Minister for Labour, Sir William ferries, to-day. Tho speakers also referred to a number of other questions, Mr. Mclnerney, representing the Public Works employees in tho union, said he hoped tho Department' would give its assistance in maintaining the improved state of affairs brought about by tho agreement ,rith,tho Minister for Public Works. Mr. S. Boreham referred to the wages of Public Works' employees, which matter had been reserved for the Cabinet's consideration. He contended that prices in the back country weto at least 25 per cent, higher than in tho cities.

Mr. Langston urged that tho Government Labour Bureau system should be improved and extended. The workers' union wished to assist in greater production, and for this purpose desired to seo an end made of the waste of time and energy involved in the men running hither and thither in search of employment, Mr. Townsend asked that the Shearers' Accommodation Act should not be allowed to become a "dead letter."

The Minister : 1 think a great deal has been dono,

Mr. Townsend said that at somo of tko places in the Wairarapa up-to-date accommodation of the best class had been given, but side by side we're sheds *vhieh had not changed-frem the old times. The Minister said it was a help to the Department to hear the complaints of the union, so that the Department might know what was really going on. A great step in advance had been made in passing the Shearers' Accommodation Act. Instructions had been sent out as to what was required, and it was intended to put the Act into operation as far as possible. They would admit that accommodation had been improved. Public works matters, ' continued the Minister, were under the control of Mr. Coates, and the Labour Department would fall in with any decision he came to. Mr. Coates had the confidence of the Government, and any reasonable proposition he put before the Cabinet would no doubt be endowed. , Railway conferences were now in progreßß and if a general bonus on wages were granted it would probably apply also to other public employees. As Native Minister he had received no complaints regarding the accommodation for Maori shearers. If the Maoris, through their members, expressed a desire for legislation in this respect, he was finite willing to carry it into <<ffect. Of course Maori customs were different from European. . With, regard to other complaints the secretary for Labour had beard thf»ir statements, 'and would *-nko investigations. If there was taxifrv in. inspection, act ; on would bo taken. The hour' bureau question was one of administration. If tho system were extended there would no doubt be cOmolainti that tho Government was monopolising the labour supply. Members of, the Dcmitetion : Why rot the Government do it? The Minister said every consideration would be given to the request. •