JUGOSLAVS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 40, 15 February 1918, Page 4

JUGOSLAVS.

OR RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. AIL WAY LEAGUE'S SUGGESTION. "I have been informed that some of lese Jugoslavs are earning as much as )/- a day," said Mr S. M. Westncy at re meeting of the Auckland Railway eaguo yesterday afternoon, when a ( iscussion took place regarding the lacing of Jugoslavs under the Military ervice Act, and employing them on rail- : ay construction work and other public . •orks. Mr P. C. Cheal (chairman) said that ( Q th- German prisoners in England "were, mployed on road construction and 1 ther works, and he thought that the j ( ew Zealand Government should act ccordingly with the aliens in _Tew Zea-1 tnd and "employ them on useful -works, wing to the scarcity of labour. "It j . ;en_3 hard to see our boys going away, j -ho were only earning 8/- a day, and hen, owing to a dearth of labour, these liens, can get 15/- a day," he said. ' These aliens are good workers, they do ot loaf, and they are strong, and I hink the Government should really do omething in the matter." A member: "We can ask the Govcrnlent to put these men under the Miliary Service Act for home service work i making roads and railways." Mr Cheal said that the League were ecentlv told by the Minister for Public Vorks'that the shortage, of labour was is greatest difficulty in carrying on mblic works, but if they did what was tiggested the problem would be largely olved. Mr C. I. Nathan moved: "That in view if the dearth of labour, the Government hould enrol the Jugoslavs under the ililitary Service. Act, and employ them in the construction of railways and ither public works at the same rate as oldiers." Mr C. J. Hutchinson seconded the notion, which was carried unanimously.