WHARF LUMPERS' GRIEVANCES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13484, 26 July 1907, Page 5

WHARF LUMPERS' GRIEVANCES.

(Telegraphed by Our Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, July 25. Some further interesting remarks concerning labour, matters and the legislation to be brought down iri-cbn-necti'on therewith f were . made by the Minister for Labotafe(H«it: J. A. Milltfr) in replying .to . a^ deputation from^the Waterside Workers' Conference which has been sitting in Wellington for the past few days. . He quite, agreed, he' said, with those who had said that the weight of coal sacks' )&nd grain sacks was too great, and- he-would see what could be done to have the" weight reduced to 2001bs. 'He would, give instruc • tions to have the gear inspected every three months,- as he thought the Government should do all in its power to safeguard human .life. He had. no power, however, to interfere wife the Home goingships. He would give careful consideration to the proposal tKat casualty wards should be established in close proximity to the wharves. That, he pointed out, was a matter that concerned the Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards. He^thduglit it was the duty of every harbour board to provide every facility for rendering first aid when an accident occurred. He would make , that compulsory in any amendment to* the Harbour Boards Act' which l-e brought down. He would also endeavour to have some provision made for bathing facilities for those wharf labourers who were engaged in work of a dirty character.