“THE MEN DEMAND.”

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 112, 5 February 1935, Page 9

“THE MEN DEMAND.”

■'■■y* Relief Workers Withdraw; Use of Word BOARD TAKES STAND Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 4. A deputation, representing relief workers employed on the stop-banking onjhe Mangaone drain sought to wait on the Manawatu Drainage Board this morning, but because a letter from the men concerned; made a “demand” the board refused to receive the deputation. Later, when the word was deleted, the deputation was allowed to wait on the board. The letter, which was signed by Messrs. G. R. Graham and H. W. Passey, stated: “The men on the Mangaone job demand that they receive 6d. a man. a day as transport allowance, irrespective of their method of transport. We will wait on the board with respect of the matter.” The chairman, Mr. P. G. Mildon, said that the board would not receive a “demand.” A demand was a request backed by such an authority that it could not be refused.

The clerk, Mr. N. I. Nielsen, said that he had spoken, to the men and suggested that they should substitute “we respectfully ask” for “demand.” He had been informed that “requests” had been made before and that no departure from the word “demand” could be made as that was the text of the resolution carried on the job.

Mr. T. D. Lynch drew the attention of the board to the following extract from the engineer’s report: "Very slow progress is being made with, the stopbanking on the Mangaone stream, and I suggest that the work be discontinued as soon as possible.” Mr._D. Prouse: I have been informed that the way the work is being carried out is a shame. Good men simply cannot work because of the slow pace set by the men who will not work. The board derided to inspect the worth later in the day .before coming to a derision to cease operations in the meantime. The deputation later waited on the board and stated that it would not delete the word demand. The chairman stated emphatically that the board would not receive the deputation unless the word was withdrawn.

The deputation withdrew, and later returned to announce that it had been decided to withdraw the word. The members were then allowed to place their ease before the board. The chairman assured the deputa tion that its request would be considered and that a reply would be given to the men when the work was inspected. He expressed his pleasure that the word “demand” had been withdrawn.