SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

New Zealand Times, Volume XLV, Issue 10431, 8 November 1919, Page 8

SHEARERS' ACCOMMODATION

(To the Editor "N.Z. Times.") Sir,—l noticed in your issue of November 3rd that tho Eight Hon. W. F. Massey had moved that tho tlouso of ivepreiicntatives disagree with tho Legislative Council's amendments to the Shearers' Accommodation. Bill, which provided that the Act should como into force on January Ist, 1920. He does not state wiiat other clauses he objects to, but it would no doubt bo tho clause in his bill which empowers employees to confiscate any part of a shearer's earnings for any alleged damage to lias sleeping whare. This ho could do without it being referred for a magistrate's decision. At least that is my interpretation of tho clause The clause wai; unjust and against law and equity. It is little wondor that even the members of the Upper House refused to allow such a pernicious clause to remain in the bill. To ma Mr Massey baa mado it quite clear that ho never intended his bill to come into operation at all._ If ho did, why does ho'oppose a stipulated dale from which the bill can bo administered? Tho bill is a slight improvement on tho old one. It does not provide necessary requirements such as baths or bedding. It was merely a shell, and because the Upper ijonso tried to preservo tho shell the P»iw v Minister is now endeavouring to cremate it. It is my opinion that Mir Massey only intended the bill as an "electionporing stunt" otherwise ho would have allowed the bill framed by Mr A r oitch to be introduced, and until touch time as the frubstnntinl matters in Mr Veitch's bill are provided for the- shearing shed workers of this Dominion dissntisfacfion in regard to accommodation will continue. CHARLES GEAYNDLER, Goncral Secretary, New Zealand Workers* Union.