RELIEF CAMPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 204, 10 June 1933, Page 6

RELIEF CAMPS.

COMPULSION ON MARRIED MEN.

OPPOSITION IN CHRISTCHURCH

(Per Press Association). CHRISTCHURCH, June 9

Twenty-five delegates representing business organisations, churches, social workers, local bodies, and relief workers in Christchurch, at a conference to-day expressed disapproval of any attempt to force married men into camps) against their will. The Mayor (Mr D. G. Sullivan), who presided, was requested by the conference to secure a definite assurance from the Minister for Employment (the Hon. A. Hamilton) that no compulsion would be used, and that those married men who would not go into camps would not be penalised by relief authorities. A further meeting is to be held to-morrow to consider the Minister’s reply.

An allegation was made that the application cards of married men who had refused to go into camp had been tom up by officers of the Labour Department, and that the men had been told there was no work for them.

THE ALLEGATIONS DENIED.

CHALLENGE TO THE AIAYOR

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

Denial was made this morning by Air R. T. Bailey (officer in charge of the Christchurch office of the Department) of allegations made yesterday at a conference of local bodies that because certain unemployed married men refused to go to camp their registration cards were torn up by officials of the Department and they were informed that no further work would he available for them.

Afr Bailey has written, to the Mayor (Air D. G. Sullivan, ALP.) invitiilg him to visit the Bureau, “when you will be permitted to call for the cards alleged to have been destroyed. If the original cards are produced I will expect a public apology to he offered to the officers of the bureau.”

MINISTER WILL INVESTIGATE. WELLINGTON, June 9. The Minister of Employment (the Hon. Adam Hamilton) stated last evening that owing to the pressure of his departmental work lie had been unable to obtain information either in f support of or to refuse the allegation that cards' of married men who had refused to go to camp had been torn up. He would certainly be very surprised, he said, if any such action had been taken by the Department’s officers. The Minister stated that he would make inquiries in the morning and furnish the Mayor of Christchurch with a telegraphic reply in time for liis meeting.