Indian Grubbers Save In N.Z.

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31028, 6 April 1966, Page 1

Indian Grubbers Save In N.Z.

A group of 19 Indians from Fiji are earning an average of £2l a week each grubbing for the North Canterbury Nassella Tussock Board in the Waiau District. A spokesman for the Indians (Mr Gaj Raj Singh Chaudhary). aged 22, said that the Indian tussock grubbers were pajing £9O for their return air fare from Fiji.

But in spite of this ex-t pense, they were able to save more in three months in' New Zealand than if they' had stayed home working in Fiji. The Indians, at present based at the Waiau hostel of the Tussock Board, include a tailor, farmers, labourers, and I a motor mechanic. For recreation, they watch (television, films about New Zealan-| shown by the orga-l

niser of the General Labourers’ Union (Mr J. Ramsden), play table tennis, and occasionally go on sight-seeing flights. They cook their own food in relays on two electric stoves, chiefly japatis and curry, cabbage curry and mutton curry. Each Friday evening they hurry over to the local banking agent to deposit their pay for taking home to Fiji. I The jjg(y items the Indians)

have to buy for the job are their boots and socks. Their hours of work are nine on week days and eight on Saturdays. As in most New Zealand work camps, the Indians of Waiau fill their hostel bedrooms with pin-ups to their particular taste. The photograph shows a group of 19 Indian workers outside the I Waiau tefstel.