MEN ON RELIEF WORK

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22305, 20 January 1938, Page 12

MEN ON RELIEF WORK

CHARGE OF SLACKING DENIED

DISCUSSION BY WAIMAIRI COUNTY COUNCIL

An emphatic denial that the men employed on relief work at Spencer Park were not working satisfactorily was received by the Waimairi County Council at its meeting last night from the ganger. G. Egan. After a full discussion. the council took no action about applying for further men for relief work.

All the men were doing a good day’s work, said the ganger. He wished to deny emphatically a statement that the men were going swimming during working hours. Cr. W. P. Spencer said he had visited the men. and found them working well. He understood there were two gangs working there. and he thought there had been a mistake. The gang under the control of the Spencer Park Board was doing good work, and the board was well pleased with what the men were doing. There was a shortage of planks on which to I' hf'oi the barrows. The men knew a complaint had been made. Cr, Spacer said he had a right to know where the complaint came from. A ganger in his riding had said he could not get the men to do what he wanted them to. said Cr. C. E. Cross. The ganger gave as a reason that the men at Spencer Park were having a good loaf, and his men thought they would, too. "There has been confusion,” said Cr. ''Spencer.

“No, there has been no confusion,” said Cr. Cross. Cr. Cross then moved that in the circumstances the council employ no more men after January 29. The motion was seconded by Cr. G. G. Gardner.

“Why put these men off?” asked Cr. Spencer. “If Cr. Cross is not satisfied with his men, put them off.” “I think the men should be put off, because there is undoubted proof that the men are not doing justice to those who employ them or to themselves,” said Cr. Gardner. “Is it right that men should be shifting sand when there is harvest work to be done, and they wish to be put off so they can get sustenance?” Cr. Cross then altered his motion to read that the council should not apply for more men after January 29. After further discussion Cr. Cross withdrew his motion, saying that the matter would come up automatically at the next meeting. Discussion on the subject then lapsed. rr= w