CHINESE FURNITURE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10848, 14 March 1921, Page 6

CHINESE FURNITURE

TWO FACTORIES OPERATING. NOT UNDER FACTORY AWARD. There are now two Chinese furniture factories in Auckland (writes the “Times” special correspondent), and although the workers are comparatively few in number they are managing to turn out fairly largo quantities of foods. One of the places of business as been running for about a year. The other establishment is more recent, having been opened about the beginning of this year. General cabinetmaking is earned out, but in neither place is there any modern machinery. The Chinese, it is stated, adopt their own methods, using Eastern benchoes and Eastern tools. . As is not infrequent m the case ol Chinese businesses in this country, the cabinetmakers are excluded from the operations of the trade award. The more recently established factory, for instance, is run as a company, the hands being co-partners, so that hours of labour, wages, and suchlike are their own concern. Both places, of coarse, are subject to the provisions of the Factory Act so far as the conditions of the factory are concerned. The Chinese question was considered recently at a joint meetirig of representatives of employer and employees in the trade. One remedy suggested was that the education test for Asiatics should be based on the requirements of the sixth standard certificate of the public schools. This, in was felt, would react on the type of Chinese coming into New Zealand, with the result that their standard of living would he altered. At present the question of future restrictions has been left in the hands of the Cabinet, but the matter will bo raised by the Labour members of Parliament during tbo session now opened.