DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, July 26.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 32

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. WELLINGTON, July 26.

A deputation from waterside workers waited on the Minister of Marine last night. Mr M'Lean. the chief spokesman, said the conference represented 4000 men employed on the wharves of the colony, and desired to place before the Minister the resolutions arrived at by the conference. These included recommendations that the Government should paes legislation limiting the size of coal baskets .and grain sacks; Government officers to report on all cases of accidents at wharves; payment on behalf of men of full medical fees in eases of accident; provision for proper waiting and retiring rooms, with baths for men working on tfte wharves; remission of duty on floiir and potatoes; recommendation of a Fair Rent Bill; representation of the wharf workers on the Harbour Boards; amendment of the Arbitration Act to make the Railway Department a party to awards in respect to wharf labourers; statutory» Saturday half-holiday; the exclusion of Asiatics; compulsion for Harbour Boards to supply requisites for first aid on" wharves; nationalisation of the food supplies; and compulsory insurance of labourers. The Minister promised to do the best ho could to have the size of coal baskets regulated, and he would endeavour to have 2001b fixed aa the weight of a wheat sack. He would give instructions to have gear used in coal handling insT^cted every three months. It was the duty of every Harbour Board, »aid Mr Millar, to provide first aid requisites, lavatories, etc. As to flour and pofcato duties, these were matters for Cabinet to decide. Since he had held office he had done something to give labour representation on Harbour Boards. But there was a difficulty in making them elective. As to a White New Zealand, he thought the educational test would prove sufficient to prevent any great number of Chinese coming into this country.