RELIEF SCHEME.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LX, Issue 10829, 30 March 1932, Page 3

RELIEF SCHEME.

BOOING AND HOOTING. Chrstchurch, March 29 Though arrangements had been made for a big'batch of relief workers to go to the Waimakariri River Trust’s works this morning, only two came forward at the trust’s office in Christchurch, where several hundred men had gathered. There was much booing and hooting as a bus drove, away with the two men aboard, but a posse of 50 police prevented disorder. It is reported that another 25 men went to the camp at McLean’s Island by other means.

It was reported last night that pickets had already been established on all roads leading to the Waimakariri River Trust’s unemployed camps to prevent any men from reaching them and accepting pay of 37s 6d a week, hut the authorities expected that some of the men engaged would join the buses to convoy them to the camp this morning. The central strike committee stated that 600 men would be present to prevent any of their fellows from leaving. On the other hand, provision was made for giving adequate police protection to men who desired to accept work. The otilcial position was that if men refused work they would be given no other relief work for six months. However, if the majority of the men were so intimidated that they dared not leave, it was considered that further'arrangements for their conveyance would be made within the next few days.