Hoax on N.Z. workers?

Press, 26 May 1977, Page 6

Hoax on N.Z. workers?

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney A group of 15 New Zea-| landers who arrived in Syd-! ney on Tuesday expecting to, go to lucrative mining jobs m' Western Australia appeared' to have been the victims of a disturbing hoax, said the New Zealand Consul in Sydney (Mr D. P. Morris) yesterday. He said that 14 tunnellers and a diesel mechanic from Turangi, who had paid their own fares across the Tasman, had found that the company to which they were supposedly contracted did not exist. The mechanic, Mr A. Paterson, aged 42, called on Mr Morris yesterday and suggested that New Zealanders faced with similar offers make proper checks before accepting them. Mr Paterson said that the men had signed two-year contracts at a weekly wage of $375, plus free board. They were to get four weeks annual holiday, for which their fares back to New Zealand would be paid. - He said that the contracts had been offered by a man staying at a hotel in Turangi. The men who applied for the jobs had responded to a newspaper advertisement. Jobs were also offered at Bougainville, and a group of 12 men had gone there last! week. “They are the ones I reallv| feel sorry for,” Mr Paterson said.