THE HON H. G. ELL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10439, 19 April 1912, Page 2

THE HON H. G. ELL.

DEPUTATION FROM FARM LABOURERS. COMPLAINTS IN CANTERBURY. Tho Hon H. G. Ell, Postmaster-Gen-eral, was busy to-day mostly with departmental work. At 10 o'clock he received a deputation representing farm labourers, who complained that the provisions of the Farm Labourers' Act, passed in 1908, have not been carried out in Canterbury. The deputation consisted of Mr E. Kennedy (secretary of the Canterbury Farm Labourer!;' Union). Mr M. Laracy, Mr C. Isaacson, 31 r F. Ellis and Mr S. Roscoe. Mr Kennedy said that all members of the deputation had had experience as farm labourers, In most cases the accommodation was the. same as before the Act was passed, but secretaries of the Unions had no power to take action, as they could not go on to the premises to make .an inspection, and the Labour Department's inspectors had not sufficient time for the work. As a matter of fact, thero were not enough inspectors to undertake a work of that nature. Tho provisions of the Act certainly'had not been carried out in Canterbury. In many instances the accommodation was almost inconceivable. Men were sleeping next pigsties, in stables, and in the worst possible conditions. The Act should be amended, and more air space should be provided for. The men should have better and morodecent accommodation. The present position was shameful and disgraceful. The agricultural labourers were among the most important in the country in view of the importance of tho industry. It was hoped that the Government would do something. Some of the accommodation undoubtedly was very bad. In reply to the Minister. Mr Kennedy said that a minority of farmers in the province provided good accommodation, but the majority did not provide suitable accommodation. A lafgo number of them provided accommodation that could not be considered in accordance with the Act. Tho Minister said that he could not p've a direct reply to the deputation. The subject did not affect his Departments. .Ho would, however, make full representations to tho Minister of Labour, tho Hon G. Laurenson. Ho suggested that Mr Kennedy should propare a statement for Mr Laurenson's consideration and instruction, showing tho necessity for providing regulations and setting forth complaints. Mr Kennedy urged that secretaries of unions in tho country districts should be allowed to go on to the premises and inspect them. Mr Laracy said that ho .endorsed what Mr Kennedy had said, especially in regard to secretaries being allowed t<> go on to the Something of that kind was done in regard to shearing. Individual men who had reported _ unsuitable accommodation were victimised, but that could not happen with an independent secretary, who, however, should be given tho privilege Mr Kennedy liad asked for. There would be much heavy expense if the inspectors had to inspect all the fanners' premises. Mr Roscoe said that he also endorsed the i remarks made. Last year he worked on a station with forty men. The sleeping accommodation was not at all satisfactory, the men having to occupy bunks in small rooms In reply to tho Minister, Mr Keniipuv said that that caso had bcon reported to the Labour Department, The Minister said that Mr Laurenson bad informed him that the Department was making investigations whenever complaints were made. Mr Kennedy ought to renort to tho Department all cases, in order that the Minister might deal with them.

Mr Tsa-aoson said that, so far as lie could see personally, no effort had been made to enforce tho Act in Canterbury. /

The Minister again promised to bring lite complaints under tho notice of his colleague, .and tho deputation withdrew.