RELIEF WORKERS

Evening Star, Issue 22955, 12 May 1938, Page 22

RELIEF WORKERS

OBJECT TO BEING GALLED "SCROUNGERS" MR SEMPLE AND STRIKERS " FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS " [Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 11. Some questions about the Minister of Public Works (Mr R. Semple) and the rights of relief workers to the redress of grievances were ventured when Mr T., H. McCombs, M.P., met men who had walked off the Governor’s Bay road job. The men had grievances about work and payment on wet days and about general conditions on the job. “We have been waiting for 11 weeks to get something done and we have gone through all the cor.=titutional channels from the foreman to the highest authorities,” a spokesman told Mr McCombs. “What was there left to do but to go on strike? “You know that Mr Semple does not hold with strikes and will not look favourably on the claims of men who do strike,” Mr McCombs said. , The spokesman: Yes, but when we strike we are following in Mr Semple’s own footsteps. “ HE’S ON TOP NOW.” Another worker: It is all very well for Mr Semple. He’s on top now. It was different when he was a worker too. Mr McCombs; You know what happens to men who indulge in attacks on Mr Semple. , Voices: But he called relief workers “ scroungers.” What right has he to call us all that because of one or two? Mr McCombs: You won’t take your case any further by going into history. ' , ' Voices: But isnt that exactly what politicians do? Another voice: Well, we’ve gone through all the constitutional channels. What shall we do? Write to the King? , Mr McCombs: If you go through all the constitutional channels and are refused by the final .authority, then there can be no redress. Voices: But what did we elect Mr Semple for? ; Mr McCombs: Well, you can put us but, but then see what will happen to you. ‘ WORK UNDER PROTEST. To that the men made no answer. They were willing to accept Mr McCombs’s suggestion that they should go back to work, but under protest. They told Mr McCombs that they had no dispute with him, but failed to see why they should not enjoy the conditions allowed to other workers. Mr McCombs promised to visit the job and to investigate it himself.