JUGOSLAV SHIRKERS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16209, 11 May 1918, Page 9

JUGOSLAV SHIRKERS.

IDODGING government work

/ THREAT OF EXPATRIATION

(press association tblbgbam.) AUCKLAND, May 10. The employment of Jugoslavs in Government work is being hampered by the attitude of tho men themselves. A statement making this fact apparent tras made to-day by Mr John Cullen, Pommissioner in charge of the Jugoslavs organisation, branch of the Defence Department. "A fair percentage of Jugoslavs," he said, "are trying \q shirk the Government work which at the of th® ir registration they agreed to, do. THey are resorting to medical certificates ana in solicitors interesting themselves on 'behalf of the men to get, them out qf going on to Government works. Many Jugoslavs are leaving_ their former places of residence without notifying nip of their changes of address, m spite of the fact that they to da so. At present wo cannot find these fe men. A fair nijmtjer ijave been enir ployed by tho Government on road ana railway construction, and drainage works, and have been paid the same wages as British labourers. Presumably therefore, tho remainder would be emi plpved on the same terms. > '"There is no doubt that drastic measures will be taken by the Government in connexion with these shirkers, continued the Commissioner. "Those failing U, to report for work, and failing to gijP i good grounds for so doing, will bo arresfc- :% ed ana interned at an early date. They : i cannot leave the Dominion, and are ■I hound to bo found and arrested if they : do not yoluptarily report themselves fflr wprk quickly. No naticp will he taken .by the Defence Department of the nedical certificate. of unfitness to ■ beuig obtained by some of the Jugpslava. THa men will all hftve to he examined later by medical men engaged by the Department. I have registered ever 170p Jugoslavs tq date, but there are • still some who have failed to register, despite thp advertisements calling on them tq c}q so. Thesp men also wijf undoubtedly be interned unless they soon register." * N Enquiries from other sources elicited the information that a_ certain number of Jugoslavs are exhibiting a spirit _qf resentment against the Government in- ' with ihem in any way. Many , tffle to bo rpally exploiting the ' British population at by domßndir.g.. and' obtaining exorbitant w&ty, and declining tp give up s«ch remunerative employment in order .to , bh pn tn PflYprnment work?. Some reported tp bp earning per pliajn in drainage ifork, under " PFlTfttft: employers, fjvking cpntrapts pip? the of Prjtislj competitors. work long hours, and can readily « mora than o chain a qfEf. J? certain gwffictj "several Jugoslavs are going abgpt from farm tq farm seeking emifl p?c|er to <»Tpid doing Gofepmcnt work. Farmers should be VSfnoi tliali 'thfi eggftgement of these registration will not he recognised by the Defence Department, fhey are liabje to lose their seri "ticm >ny titpe.. Thft ppihion is expressed that there p|g bg Jiitlp hut the upshot or. nresenp ppsitipp will he that t '' alter t}io Jugoslavs who havo en- \ peavpured tq shirk their duties wtyl be gqfher'sd together hy tftq Government wid expatriated.