ALIEN WORKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVII, Issue 53, 2 March 1916, Page 8

ALIEN WORKERS.

.EMPLOYMENT ON' PUBLIC WORKS. COMPLAINTS TO MINISTER. A deputation of workers from the Otira tunnel waited on the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. W. Fraser) yesterday. The men's grievance was the suspension of certain men from the works. One of the deputationists jfNicholas) complained that a worker "was being discharged who had put all his savings, amounting to about £300, into the Public Works loan. This man was to be discharged while another worker, a pro-German, remained in employment. In reply to a question by Mr. Fraser as to his definition of a pro-German, Mr. Nicholas replied: "A man who says he hopes the British race will be beaten." Mr. Fraser replied that a man who made such a statement was certainly a pro-German. There were, however, two sides of the question, and probably some little thing had been omitted which made all the difference. Later Mr. Fraser defined his general policy. He stated that no decided policy had yet been Adopted to prevent any man who is not a British subject or one of her allies from obtaining work. Up to the present no alien subjects had been placed in any position in the Public Works, because it was not considered right that they should hold responsible positions over our own people. Mr. Fraser, however, did not consider that aliens rould be stopped from working. One man who had occupied a position as overseer for 20 years had been removed, and the -workers had protested. This showed how unreasonable people were, and also demonstrated ffiat New Zcalanders have notiyet zr^e. -up .their minds how-ttese withi•-•'"". "• - "