WORK AND WAR CONDITIONS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 246, 18 October 1939, Page 6

WORK AND WAR CONDITIONS.

A recent correspondent makes a few misrepresentations in his letter. He a«k«, "Why expect carpenters to give "services free?" And later state*, If he gives his services free, how is t' K) ' n S' *° rent, etc." But nohody asks or expects the carpenter to give his services free. There is 110 /eason whv he more than the soldier or ordinary civilian should make money out of- war conditions. If he works long hours he does and should get jjaid for Hiein, but not excessive pay. Does a soldier work only 40 hours a week under war conditions? Does he get double pay or overtime? Do the butcher and the baker receive £10, £12 and £1.3 a week because of a war? We are asked or equality of service." Is it equality ot service for a carpenter to receive up to £la per week for war work whilst a soldier gets (with all extras), I suppose, not more (if as much) than £4? - s to the cost of the carpenters' fares to their work, they are, I believe, allowed one hour's pay for travelling time, whilst the National Reserve men have to pay their own fares when called upon for praetiee and drill, and are informed there is no money for uniforms or rifles. Is that equality? When all * aK ' ar >d done, the soldier in eamp and the National Reserve man are giving their time and service to assist in protecting the carpenter; why should the carpenter expect to get these services free, and not oniv free, but make money on them ? Why should one lot of men be expected to give all and get nothing and another lot get all and give nothing? This sureiy contradicts equality of service. QUID PRO QUO.