TIMBER INDUSTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3775, 20 July 1926, Page 61

TIMBER INDUSTRY.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT WELLINGTON, July 16. A deputation representing the Timber Workers’ Federation of New Zealand met the Prime Minister and the Minister of labour yesterday and asked that the Government should favourably consider several matters affecting the industry. It was asked that there should be an amendment to the Compensation Act to make provisions for payment in cases where there was partial lose of limb; also that the wages of employees should be the first charge on a bankrupt estate. It was stated that employers had been asked to provide fans to minimise the dust danger from machines, but had been refused. It was suggested that the Government should consider making the provisions of fans compulsory. The Secretary * (Mr Turley) asked that a representative of the men should be allowed to accompany a Labour Department official inspecting labour and time books. He also urged closer inspection of accommodation, and protested against the immigration policy, which he said was causing unemployment. The Hon. G. J. Anderson said he would have the question of accommodation and machinery looked into. A 40-hour week was requested. Mr Coates replied that Parliament was rather busy this session. Mr Anderson: As far as lam concerned you won’t have any support from me for a 40-1 our week. It was stated that, as a result of the large importations of timber, numbers of workers had been thrown out of employment. Employers were also feeling the pinch. Mr Coates said the matter was at present receiving the attention of the Minister of Customs and the Minister in Charge of Industries and Commerce. Mr O'Byrne stated that there was a fear in some minds that if a tariff were placed on imported timber millers would raise their prices, but the sawmillers had given the federation an assurance, and also the Government a written assurance, that if a tariff were placed on imported timber they would not raise prices. He suggested that, if necessary, the Government could establish a State timber yard, buying direct from the millers, and distribute at cost price. Mr Shortt (Main Trunk) stressed the fact that foreign imports were affecting small towns dependent on the industry. The depression was so great that no doubt a number of shopkeepers would have to go to the Bankruptcy Court. Mr Coates said he could find no fault with the statement of the deputation at all. xie thought New Zealand should endeavour to make itself self-independent as far as possible. An important factor was the supply of timber to people wanting to^ build homes. In regard to the suggestion of the. State entering the business, he remarked that the State had not been very successful at cutting down costs. Generally it was the other way. No doubt there had been some cases of dumping, and when it came to dumping, a little country could not stand up against a big one.