SCOUTS' EARNINGS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 307, 29 December 1942, Page 2

SCOUTS' EARNINGS

PUKEKOHE GARDENS SCHEME

Since the return of a party of Boy Scouts from Pukekohe, where they were employed by commercial growers in the vegetable gardens, many parents have complained that the remuneration of the boys was far below what they were led to expect. Reports indicate that the earnings of the boys were as little as 5/ each, and are stated to have been less in some cases, for seven days' work of six hours a day. The boys camped at Bledisloe Park from December 15 till December 23, and were employed on surrounding farms.

Officials of the Boy Scouts Association indicated to-day that there was a general feeling among the boys and their parents and in the association that in some respects they had been seriously misled regarding the scheme. A large camp was to have been established on January 4, but in the meantime the metropolitan president of the association, Sir Joseph Smith, and the commissioner, Major R. F. Ward, will interview officials of the Commercial Growers' Association and the Primary Production Council.

It was stated on behalf of the growers today that the boys were paid at ruling piece* rates, as agreed to, and the amounts they earned depended entirely on their work. In some cases the boys were paid above ruling rates. One grower added that he paid 2/6 a case for picking beans, which was more than he had ever paid before. After the first day, it was said, when the boys realised that their earnings were to be pooled, they did not seem to work as keenly. The organisers of the camp had sent the boys out in gangs, and no check seemed to have been kept on individual effort.