Aliens On Public Works

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 239, 4 July 1940, Page 11

Aliens On Public Works

Sir, —According to the telegram from Greymouth the Government proposes to put Italians on to Public Works. Can this be true? Here we lire actually with our backs to the wall, lighting for the right to live as a nation. If we lose we are under the heel of the Hun or worse—if that be possible. With this in front of us our Government intends to put sons of a nation with which we are at war on public works, while our own young men risk health and life itself for 7/a day.

The Aider men accept loyally and cheerfully crushing taxation. They stand loyally behind our legislators in all they do' in their “all-in policy.” And how is the Government doing its part in the “all-in policy” to show its appreciation for the unswerving loyalty of 99 per cent. New Zealanders? By borrowing £15.000,000 and with more than 50 per cent, of this proposing to do works that are not needed and produce nothing to help England in these times of deadly peril. Foreigners are to l>e put into these works on full pay—lo hours a week — two full days holidays a week. And while we are footling both our time and money the workers in England work seven days a week, ten hours a day, and hard going. Their young men are dying every day for us. This public works policy of New Zealand is unfair to the workers of England, the soldiers of England, and every patriotic man of New Zealand.—l am. etc., Wm. MORGAN. Wellington. July 2.