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Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 74, 29 March 1932, Page 8

BELIEF WORK JOB

WAIMAKARIRI RIVER i

(By Telegraph.—I Jress Association.) CHRISTOHURCH, 28th March. Belief work on the Waimakariri River Trust's undertakings has been declared black by the unemployed committee, and it is reported that pickets have already been established on all roads leading to the River Trust's camps to prevent men accepting pay of 37s Gd for 40 hours work a week. A meeting of unemployed workers on Saturday declared " black '■' the scheme of works to be carried out by the Waimakariri Eiver Trust in conjunction with the Unemployment Board, on which works married men are offered 37s 6d for 40 hours' work a week. It was announced later by the unemployed committee that the strike will be extended to include single men's camps and all relief jobs where a forty-four week is worked for 37s 6d. A central strike committee and other committees were set up, and the meeting expressed its determination to do all in its power to prevent any unemployed workers who did not respect this decision from leaving Christchurch on Tuesday morning for the workers' camp. It is believed that many of the unemployed men do not agree with the decision of Saturday afternoon that a strike should be called, and the Waimakariri works declared "black," but it is expected that some at least of the men engaged will not join the buses to convey them to the camp to-morrow morning. The central strike committee has stated that 600 men will be present to prevent any of their fellows from leav-, ing. On the other hand, provision has been made for giving adequate police protection to the men who desire to accept work. If the men refuse this work they will be given no other relief work for six months. However, if the majority of the men are so intimidated that, they dare not leave to-morrow morning, it is likely that further arrangements for their conveyance will be made within the next few days. ■ It is intended that the strike shall apply to all relief works where pay of 37s 6d a week is offered. Mr. H. W. Harris, engineer for the River Trust, in a statement, said that many of the mea^engaged for the Riven Trust work had expressed to him their intention of accepting the wages offered. The men complained that the meeting had not been confined to men to be drafted to these works, but had been open to other unemployed who could carry hostile resolutions without jeopardising themselves.