“ORDER OF BOOT” FOR SCROUNGERS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 93, 14 January 1936, Page 10

“ORDER OF BOOT” FOR SCROUNGERS

Forthright Mr. Semple

GOVERNMENT TO ABOLISH RELIEF WORKS

By Telegraph—Press Association. Nelson, January 13. Three men from the Tabaka Hill relief workers’ camp met (he Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, at Motucka to discuss the general conditions of work. On rates of pay it was contended that the engineer varied the rate paid on spoil moved without giving notice as provided for in the contract. A good worker was making £6 per week in December. The men were shifting rock, the maximum rate being on the marble, while less was paid on the looser material. Cases were quoted where the price had been reduced for apparently no reason.

Further representation was made in connection with accommodation. Some of the private houses rented by the men were not in a fit state to live in. They asked if better accommodation could be provided on the job.

The engineer, who was present, stated that the formation of the country varied. For the hardest type 3/per yard was paid and the rate for loose material was correspondingly less. The average rates earned by the men were 15/4 per day in October, 17/1 in November, and 18/5 in December. No contract prices had been cut, but the various types of spoil moved were measured and paid for accordingly.

The Minister then told the men that there bad evidently been a misunderstanding about the contract and from what the engineer had said there had been no breach. Public Works at Proper Wages. Regarding accommodation the Government was at present, going into the whole question. All men ou such works would be properly housed and provision would be made so that it would not be necessary for the men to keep two homes while they were engaged on the works. It was the intention of the Government to abolish relief works and convert them into public works at proper wages. “If a man's a trier and docs not earn the amount fixed lor the wages he’ll got those wages, but if he's a scrounger then he will get the order of the boot,” commented the Minister. Hearty receptions were accorded Mr. Semple and the Minister of Mines, Hoti. P. C. Webb, ami nt Motueka and Murchison there were very large gatherings.