RELIEF WORKERS.

Evening Star, Issue 22516, 8 December 1936, Page 7

RELIEF WORKERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I wish to endorse “ Observer’s ” remarks on the shameful way some of these men behave. They are receiving full wages while on the job, and should be compelled to render a fair day’s work, but they openly state that Mr Silverstone is their president and he will look after them, hence their defiance to any authority. Ido not think that Mr Silverstone would tolerate their behaviour one minute if he were informed of the true position. In conversation with gangers in various departments I am told that the men do actually less work now than previously. Surely our Labour Council and Government do not intend to tolerate this state of affairs. I was pleased'to read Mr Semple’s statement that men would have to take country jobs or be cut off from any financial assistance. I was told by one ganger that he was struck on the mouth by one man (a court case ensued) because he told men to come out of the shed and do some work. Another ganger told me last Wednesday that he was struck on the mouth for the same reason. Needless to say, these offences were reported, hut what happens? Instead of the city engineer putting them off for all time ho sends them hack to another job in a different group. In conversation with some of these men one day a man openly bragged to his mates and the ganger, during my presence, that he had been sent homo from three different jobs because he would not work, and each time the engineer sent him hack to different groups. He wound up by brazenly stating that he got a better job each time. Is this fair to the ratepayers and the gangers? Again, why should the men be sent home because of a little rain? One sees them holding their hands out to ascertain if there are any raindrops falling, and if a few drops fall then follows a charge for the shed (Balaclava is not in it), X maintain that if they go home they should he made to make np this time. I understand the council’s men lose their pay it sent home owing to rain. In conclusion, I should mention that these men (some of them, of course, are excellent workers) use insulting and disgusting language to the gangers and assistant engineers. These men get no protection from the council or engineer. How much longer are such things to go on?—I am, etc., Disgusted. December 7.