SINGLE MEN'S GAMPS

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 1, 1 July 1932, Page 4

SINGLE MEN'S GAMPS

CONDITIONS DISCUSSED

MINISTER'S UNDERTAKING

An interview recently took place between the Minister of Public ■ Works- (the Right Hon. J. G. Coatcs) and air. W. Nash, II.P. for Hutt, in reference to conditions obtaining m Uie teller camps. Ihe , interview arose out of complaints made at a meeting of unemployed single men at Petone, the complaints being summarised as follows:—(1) The amount of pay uua not gujunleed, (2) the men weie -hoit ot ilothinj, ,(J) many of the men h.ul no bouts suitable loi the type ot woiL. in winch lliej «eie engaged, (i) the men wore delihitcly short o£ bed clothing -Mi Nusii loin aided a Icttei to 111. Coate*, in whn.li he stated that ho undeistood the ilmistei s leplj to be that (1) ' ho could not at piescnt g'lariintee the earnings ol lUs pci veck, but th.it his i)ioposal" would enable the j\cingc woiLei lo Paul 10s per wpek, in addition to Iqoil and uiionimodation, (2) bubstantul boot^ ol the tspe necostaiy toi the -\\oik would be provided foi each worker on eutciin^ tamp at &•> 6d a pair, (3) hemy bldhkcU would also be pio\ided at 11s I Od a pm, (I) demiu tiouseis would be supplied .it 5s a pan; (o) singlets and other undei clothing to ensiuc a change | when necessity would also be supplied, (0) the cost ot the above mateiials would bo iccovoicd fiom the lehef worker by small deductions horn each pay; and (7) the tent accommodation would be equal to that piotidcd by the Public \Voiks Department, and would include floor boaicK and a fheplace m each tent Ah. Ka&h asked Mr. Coates to let him have a note coutnmras the anangement. All. Coates has lcplied in thd following term?: — " (1) I was unable to agree to jour lequc t that the i.lte ot wages should be guaiautccd, but i ha\e duected that the rates for piece-work are to be such that an average, worker should have no difliculty in earning 10s a week in addition to his keep by reasonable industry. "(2) I agreed that substantial boots of the type necessary for tUe work would be provided for each worker at the lowest possible price. At the present time the price is Ss 6d. ; "(3), (4), and (5) I cannot guarantee that blankets, denims, and underclothing should' bo supplied at the specific lates you ' mention; but an endeavour will be made to see .that.-no worker has .to carry •on insufficiently; clothed, by supplying at the cheapest possible late. . "(5) I agree that the cost of such ma.terial .'supplied will be recovered Tjy small deductions from eich pay. "(7)': The tent accommodation -will be in line with that provided, on culinary Public. Woiks relief jobs, this including floor, boards and a fiieplace to each tent.'