A PROTEST.

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 August 1901, Page 2

A PROTEST.

Per tress Association

WELLINGTON, August 15.

A deputation representing the meat freezing, wool scouring and tanning industries waited on several country members of the House this afternoon (Mr Meredith in the chair) to protest against the provisions of the Factories Bill so far as they affect these industries being passed into law.

Mr Waymouth, of Canterbury, said that if the Bill became law in its present form it simply meant that increased cost of carrying on the meat freezing industry must fall on the farmers, who would receive less for the raw products. The Bill would entail an increased cost in working the freezing companies throughout the colony to the extent of quite 25 per cent., which the farmer \rould have to pay. He also pointed out that one effect of the Bill would be to upset the judgments recently given in Christchurch by the Arbitration Court, which had distinctly laid down that labour conditions in regard to slaughtermen and tanners should remain as they were. If this Bill .passed the ruling of the Arbitration Court could not be adhered to: He denied a statement attributed to the Premier that freezing companies were subsidised by the Government, and said that, so far from receiving any assistance from the Government, these companies were the most heavily taxed in the country; they were, in fact, taxed from every corner. Mr Sladden, of Wellington, endorsed the opinions expressed by Mr Waymouth, and added that the slaughtermen, when before the Arbitration Court at Christchurch, had distinctly stated that they did. not desire any alteration in the present condition of things, as they recognised that under the provisions of the Factories Bill they would not be able to make enough during the busy season to recompense for what they would lose in the slack season.

Mr Clark, of Canterbury (representing the wool scouring industry), declared that it would be impossible for him under the Bill to carry on his wool scouring and f ellmongery business. He would have to shut down, and he believed that 75 per cent, of the wool scouring establishments in the colony would also have to close down. Mr Booth, of Christchurch (representing the implement manufacturers), pointed out that the increased cost involved in this labour legislation must fall on the consumer. The special provisions contained in the Factories Bill were, he urged, utterly unnecessary. Mr Hill, of Canterbury, speaking for the wool scouring and tanning. industries, endorsed everything that had been said by the previous speakers. These industries could nob stand any increased cost, and any extras they were compelled to> face must be taken off the raw material.

Mr Waymouth promised to submit to the members present a. complete list of the reasons which jirompted the deputation to oppose the Factories Bill.