MAN HUNT?

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 July 1932, Page 5

MAN HUNT?

GREY UNEMPLOYED MEETING. “BIG” TALK—LITTLE BUSINESS.

What was regarded by the meeting of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement, in Greymouth, last evening, as the main business, was conducted m committee. Two hours were occupied, however, in disposing of general business, • which but for the latitude extended by the Chairman, Mr. F. McGrath, to half a dozen speakers, who apparently find pleasure in hearing their own voices, could have been disposed of in half an hour. These weekly meetings are held with, ono main object, and that is to do all possible to assist single men, in their resolve not to go to the single men’s camps. Members do not hide this fact. Efforts made by pubixc contribution to assist them towards getting an extra few days of work, through the Mayor’s Fund, are appreciated by the married men, and youths under 20 years, but by the single men not exempt from camps, th© All Nations Fair, and such like, are treated with disdain.

Anything that the Movement now undertakes must be solely for the benefit of the single men. And through the advocacy of their “leaders,” the single men are having matters entirely their own way. Levies, and profits from certain dances, etc., are devoted to the single men’s needs. Every married, and single unemployed worker, is required to pay a levy of 1/- for each working week, to help the single men, not working. At last evening’s meeting, the matter of a soup kitchen being established was discussed in committee. The main object for this, is to further assist the single men, who have refused to go to camps. Unofficially, it was stated that this soup kitchen would cost approximately £4 per day to run. Be- j

fore this venture is undertaken, some tiling definite should be made public as to the need for a soup kitchen, and the estimated cost of establishing, and carrying it through. It is quite easily understood why the [unemployed weekly meeting attracts 'such large attendances. Many of the unemployed attend because they derive much enjoyment from listening to the “big” talk, of the same half-dozen speakers. Unless they are called on to vote, ninety of the usual one hundred present, never offer an opinion on any matter, i Last evening’s meeting was orderly, but little real business was touched on. Deep concern was felt by the “leaders” of the Movement, over letters written by a correspondent to the “Star,” signing himself “Not a Bush Lawyer.” To establish the identity of this person, numerous challenges were thrown, out to him, as it was felt that he was in the jfcalj, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to locate him, by taking a division on a motion. For half an hour, the meeting changed from an unemployed gathering into a man hunt, but the “quarry” was not run to earth.

Prior to commen,eing the meeting last evening, it was moved and seconded that the business be taken in committee. Mr. D. Magee moved an amendment that the Press be admitted, Mr. A. O’Connor seconding. On, a show pf hands, the amendment was successful by a small number of votes. After the voting had favoured the Press being admitted, Mr O’Connor said that while he had seconded the amendment, he hoped that the “Star’ reporter would not give the meeting the full publicity that he did on a previous occasion. If he did, then, he (Mr O’COnnor), would not second another amendment favouring admission of the Press. “Let it be a report of the business done, not all the little tit-bits, that go on here,” he added. Arising out of the minutes of the previous meeting, Mr Culling asked how the deputation had ■ fared, that interviewed Mr Davies,. on the question of travelling time for men working for the Railway Department. The Secretary replied that this matter would be dealt with in correspondence. On the question of overlapping with work on the Mayor's Fund, the Secretary mentioned that a deputation had found that only one name had been included in the list, and this was put there by accident. In reference to the proposal to establish, a soup kitchen, the Chairmao suggested that the discussion be taken in committee. Mr Magee: Why should we have to go into committee.. The matter of the soup kitchen should be made public. What I want to know here tonight, is the identity of the man that has been writing to the “Star” under the name of “Not a Bush Lawyer.” li he is here, let him stand up. Mr Stanton: Regarding the isoup kitchen, certainly it should be taken in committee. Foi' myself, I will give no report while the Press is present.

We would be simply giving the guts of the organisation away.

A voice: Well, what does it matter, somebody else is doing it. Mr O’Connor: The Press should put in what we want, and leave out whit we don’t want. '

Mr Culling: What is the use of going into committee if -we allow letters to go to the paper? The Chairman: We cannot stop letters going into the Press. I will rule that the discussion on the soup kit-

chen be taken in committee. I think it should be. Mx' Nordstrom'suggested that any matters which would be best taken in committee should bo left till the gen eral business had been dealt with. MEDICAL REPORTS. The following letter was received from Mr F. G. Davies, District Inspector of Factories: —

Referring to the interview with Messrs Stanton and Livingtone in my office on the 23rd inst., Mr Livingstone stated that at a recent meeting of your movement a complaint w'is lodged that the medical reports of several unemployed persons had been delayed. The matter has been, discussed with the Secretary of the Hospital Board, and -I am informed that the men received a thorough examination, and in some cases laboratory tests are necessary. Under these ci’ cumstances a little delay is unavoidable, but I am satisfied that the re- i ports are sent to this, office as ear.y as possible. Mr Livingstone referred to the complaint made by several workers against the Railway Department. It was stated that by leaving Greymouth at 7.40 a.m. and returning at 5.30 p.m. on two days of the week, and on Tuesday at 4.30 p.m , the men worked more than 24 hours for three days. I have discussed the matter with the Railway officials and find, that the train departs and oirives as stated above. Actual work, however, commences at Stillwater on Monday and Wednesday at 8.15 a.m., and fin ishes at 4.45 p.m,, with one hour for

luncheon, thereby working 15 hours for the two days, and on Tuesday commences at 8.15 a.m., with one hour for luncheon and finish at 3.45 p.m, making a 61 hour working day. The balance of the time is taken up in travelling. Referring to the request that the wages be paid on Thursday morning after finishing work on the Wednesday. This Question has been taken up with the Railway Department to see if it is not possible for wages to be paid on Thursday as request'd. The Chairman stated that one question open for discussion in the letter was the payment for travelling time. Mr G. Rutledge said that this was allowed only on special jobs, such as when a slip on a line had occurred. Mr Culling said that the men working at Stillwater left by train at 7.40 a.m., and returned at 5.40 p.m., and allowing a half hour for lunch, they worked 9.1 hours on a Monday On .Tuesdays they worked t'en minutes short of eight hours, returning by the express. On Wednesdays, they worked till 2.30 p.m'.. thus balancing the working time. They would not go out unless they received travelling, time If they had an half-hour longer with

the railways, they took it off when in town. Mr Stanton said that Mr Davies had given Mr Livingstone and the speaker 10 understand that the Railway Department was working on the principle of travelling time one way, and the men’s own time on the return journey. Mr Culling: I worked on the railways for five or six years, and we always had travelling time. We are not going to put in three or four hours extra work for them, in fixing up their lines. The Chairman: 1 worked for 7 years and 8 months in the railway, and I do not know why the position should be different with our unemployed, for the pay all comes out of the same pay office.

Mr Stanton: Mr Davies mentioned

that the miners at Rewanui did not get travelling time. They worked eight hours from bank to bank, but by the time thej r arrived home, they had been away about 12 hours. He said that the men had to get to the jobs. We argued the point with him. and pointed out that the men on the dole were leaving home early, and it was practically dark before the? got back. We said that they were entitled to pay from the time they left their doorstep to the time they arrived back home, provided that they did not call in at any pubs. Mr.A. Smith: There is nothing to stop the men from building a bach at Rewanui, and being on the job, but with men working- at Stillwater, they are there for only a week, and then might have to shift elsewhere. The Chairman: We are only going to spoil the conditions of the first lot of men that went on the railways. Mr Rutledge: The permanent men never could get it, so it will not make any difference.

The Chairman: We have six men getting it now. Mr Rutledge: But they are on a special jbb. Mr Culling: There is nothing special about it. We are simply stacking timber at Stillwater, to bring to dreymouth.

Mr O’Connor: Can’t we come to any finality on the matter? It is no good discussing it all night.

Mr Nordstrom moved that the Secretary obtain all the necessary data in reference to men working on the raihyays under the No. 5 Scheme, and place the information before the Railway Department, and Mr Davies.

Mr O’Connor seconded, and the motion was carried.

LOOKING FOR N.A.B.L.

Mr Magee: I ask that the man who has been writing to the “Star” under the name of “Not a Bush Lawyer,” stand up in this meeting and declare himself. He has had a lot to say about me, but I will not fight him, for he is not worth it. Mr O’Connor: I am a bit in accord with the last speaker. “Not a Bush Lawyer” maintained that he would be here to-night. If he is here, then I will issue him a challenge, for I am supposed to be one of the bush lawyers. That is one idea. I had for getting the Press here to-night. Mr Magee: When I write a letter*

to the Press, I put my name to it. It js not much use asking him to do that because he hasn’t got the g- . Let him stand up like a man, and we can see who he is. I issue a challenge to him too.

Mr Saint: The last letter was put in, as an answer to my letter, and the man signed himself “Not a Bush Lawyer.” He wants me to answer his letters, but unless I know who he is, I am not going to, but I won’t have a

man stab me in the back. That men has ’done me a gross injustice, and he has made a false statement, and I am going to take the proper course tomorrow, and I’ll get his name. Let him stand up now. I am not in a temper, and I will meet him in any way he likes. I will place my cards on the table. .He has traded on my integrity too hard, so now let him stand up. A member: We have been good enough to let the Press in to ou> meeting; will the Press be good enGa ail to give this full publicity?

Mr Saint: That man made a false statement; I am sure nobody can say I did anything wrong. He mentioned names, but if I mention anybody’s name it is to their good, not to their bad.

Mr O’Connor moved that the full

support of the Unemployed Workers’ Movement be given to Mr Saint in his endeavours to find out the name of the person writing to the “Star” under the nom de plume of “Not a Bush Lawyer,” and should his identity become known, that he be expelled from the movement. This was seconded by Mr Watt and carried.

Mr Magee: He also said that I went crawling to Mr Davies saying that I was a seaman. I would not go running to the police. I can show a bit of principle, but he hasn’t any. He

is ashamed of his father's name, otherwise, let him be a man and stand up in this meeting.

A member: A man who is not capable of putting his name to a letter is not worth considering. Mr Magee: I have treated him with ignorance, and intend to do it. Lot him put his name ,to the letters, and I will tell him a bit about himself. I have a good idea who it is, although I cannot be sure; Mr Nordstrom: “Not a Bush Lawyer” said he would be here to-night. Well, let us have a division, all in favour of the motion going to one side of the hall. Then if “Not a Bush Lawyer” has any principle, he will stand where he is.

The humorous spectacle of a body of men joining the other half, until all were standing on one side of the hall, was then witnessed. The futility- .f this attempt to find their quarry, -was soon made obvious, for one half had not moved at all. If “Not a Bush Lawyer” was present on the side that did not move, it is a wonder that he did not betray his identity by uncontrollable mirth, at what the Chairman himself declared was a “foolish bust-

ness.” However, the hunters would not admit defeat and to make themselves appear not quite so ridiculous, they acclaimed that “Not a Bush Lawyer'* was not present at the meeting. “He said he would be here, and he is not here, and we would like that to go in the Press,” shouted one member. After those who so hurriedly vacated their seats from fear of loitering and being exposed as “Not a Bush Lawyer,” had again settled to their places. Mi’ D. Drennan asked whether he wouiu be out of order in asking the- reporter a question. He was not at all versed in Press etiquette, but what lie wanted to know, was Whether any letter sent to the Press had to have the sender’s name placed on it. The Chairman: Nobody is at liberty to ask the Press a question at a meeting. There may be some learned gentleman present who can answer that question for you. Mr Stanton: I can give you that information. During my career of 40 years, knocking about, and experiencing up and downs. I have written many letters to the Press — A voice: Yes, and to the “Star,” too. Mi’ Stanton: Yes, to the “Grey Star” also, and I have written the truth also. I can give this information to my friend here, through the Chairman. Any person writing a letter to the Press, must sign his name, but not necessarily for publication. The‘Social Committee reported that a credit balance of 4/8 had resulted from last Saturday’s dance. This was received as satisfactory. Mr Cleghorn suggested that it was

not necessary to advertise die weekly meetings, and added that only when a meeting would not be held on a Wednesday, should the fact be advertised. They would save unnecessary expense.

Mr Nordstrom: You are out of order. We get the advertising for nothing. Mr Cleghorn then moved that the man parading through town with the placaras advertising the Saturday night dances, -be voted a sum for doing the work. Not every man would undertake it, he added. The motion was seconded.

Mr O’Connor stated that Mr Jackson had taken on the work voluntar-

ily, and the speaker thought that no payment should be made-tor the work while the dances were returning such small profits. When the Movement held a ticket dance, and netted something like £lB profit, as they had on previous occasions, then Mi* Jackson could be given something for his labour.

Mr J. Jackson declined to accept any payment, however, stating that he did not mind carrying the sandwich boards. He was carrying on for the good of the movement, just the same as any other member, and would not accept payment. Mr Nordstrom then moved that a vote of appreciation of Mr Jackson’s work be recorded in the minutes. This was seconded .and carried by acclamation.

The Secretary stated that lie had been approached by the representative of the “Christchurch Star,” with a request that as many men as were willing, offer their services for the sale of tickets for the ball to be conducted by the “Christchurch Star” on Saturday afternoon and evening. The payment of one penny would be made for every ticket sold- Men willing were asked to parade at Mr Rundle’s office next morning. Mr A. Smith said that there was one aspect of the position which'required consideration. “The unemployed will benefit if there is any profit, but the object of it is newspaper boost, and if any men feel like spiling those tickets, at the expense of keeping people away from our own Saturday night dance, for the sake of getting one penny on each ticket, let them sell them.”

Mr Magee: They -are running that dance in opposition to our own. If they can get hold of our name once, they will build on it. If that penny is going to be any good to any of the unemployed, let them take the .tickets. But it is going to affect our own dance.

A Member: I do not think we should boost up that dance. Let us look after our own dance first. Mr O'Connor moved that no action be taken, and Mr Jackson seconded.

The Chairman: I do not think their dance will interfere with ours.

Mr E. Smith: instead of making an appeal/for men to assist the “Christchurch Star’s” fiance, we should make an appeal for volunteers to come to the Town Hall on Saturday and Sunday, to help with our own. We ask for volunteers and get only three or four there.

Mr Magee: In the “Grey Star” tonight, it has it that the proceeds are to go to the Mayor’s Fund. I for one, am absolutely against it. As soon as this Fair is over, we will give them something. A Member: If the profits go to the Mayor’s Fund, it is all grist to the mill, and that is all we want.

Mr Magee: Our dances are run to help support our single men. If we go selling these tickets, our own dance will go fiat, and we will have nothing for ourselves. The Chairman: I will move that the discussion close. Mr J. Mclnroe: We are all in the one pot. The discussion should not be closed. The Chairman: I have moved that it close. I gave you some latitude in the hope that you would get somcvvhere,

but you haven’t. Mr A. Smith: Could the Social Committee give us some idea of how much has been handed to the Mayor’s Fund, since the Saturday dances commenced? Also, how many boys have been employed in preparation of the floor? The public should be enlightened on this matter, for it has been stated that eleven boys were employed in the Town in one instance.

Mr Magee: I will challenge any person to- state that eleven boys were engaged there. There have never been

eleven boys at the Town Hall yet, The Chairman: Yes, they were during one week, I believe. Mr O’Connor: Eleven boys were told off for the job, but the Engineer blocked them. Mr A. Smith: My purpose in asking the question was to let the public know, that if we had a credit balance, we were not bleeding the other part of the Mayor’s Fund, and spending what they had not earned. The letters in the “Star” might have created a lot of 111-feeling. Mr Mclnroe: That’s what they Were put there for. Mr O’Connor said that ho would withdraw his statement about eleven boys not being employed at the Town Hall, as in conversation with others in the Hall, he had found out that elevon were there. .The Secretary stated that he did not have a record of how many boys had been employed at the Town Hall.

Mr E. Smith: Mr Chairman, and Comrades, the Engineer tried to take the boys away from the Town Hall, but he was not successful. He slipped badly. They were there during Friday afternoon, and for two hours the.next day. From two ticket dances we netted about £25.

Mr Magee: But that £25 was not all profit. When we first ran the nances we cleared only about £2 or £3, then it went up to £4 and £5, and on to £7/10/-. It has been up and down all the time. Taken right through, we have not shown a lot of profit, for the dances cost about £5 to run.

The Chairman said that the ticket dances had paid handsomely, and they were well ahead of expense. Other dances had not been altogether a good paying proposition. To make the position in regard to the boys clear, he would state that on one occasion eleven boys had been employed in preparing the Hall for the dance, and on another Saturday there had been six boys. He considered that they had abused the privileges they had, when they put eleven boys at ■work at the Town Hall. REPAIRING BOOTS. In reporting on the hoot repairing depot, Mi* Stanton said that Mr Cairney and himself had been repairing boots for five days, and during that time 117 pairs had been brought to them, and 62 pairs had been repaired. 'The value of the work was £l6/12/6. Fifty pairs remained to be attended

to, and others were coming in. He could report a profit of £l/0/4 on the five days worked. They had as much leather in the shop as when they started, a total of five sides having been received from the Mayor. “Most of you have had some benefit from the scheme, which is a dashed good one,” he added. “As far as the allocations from the Mayor’s Fund are concerned, the Mayor contributes the material, and last week we had to work more than our quota of days, otherwise some of you would not have had your boots done. There is no rotary system about this scheme, and the Mayor has struck about the fairest way of working it. Men, -women and children can go to the Town Hall and get a docket, and then bring their boots to us, and they will be repaired. One person came along with five pairs, and he and his wife and kiddies are now wearing them, properly repaired. Seme people have had 25/- worth of work done, and have not had to work for it.

Mr Magee: Who pays for the extra couple of days, under the boot repairing scheme? Can Mr Stanton give me an idea of what it. costs to do a pair of boots?

Mr Stanton replied that the extra days were paid for out of the Mayor’s Fund. A pah’ of boots repaired would post 6/- in the shops.

Mr Magee: I want to know what it costs down at his pjaee. Mr Mclnroe: That has nothing to do with you: Mr Cairney: Well, 62 pairs have been done, and the value of the work is £l6/12/6; work it out foi* yourself. (Laughter.) The Chairman suggested that a lad should be sent along as a stripper, to assist Messrs Stanton and Cairney. This would put them two days ahead each week with their work. He suggested that a a lad bp paid £1 per week, working full time, and he would also have an opportunity of learning the trade. Mr Cairney: How could the boy go on full time, when we do not work full time? Next week is our week off. Mr Stanton: Yes. we have our week off together. You had better go down and do the stripping yourselves, if you begrudge us two extra days. They have been coming to us in motor cars, on horseback, and . all sorts of ways, ■with boots foi* repair.

The Chairman: I am begrudging you nothing. It had nothing to do with me; I will put it to the meeting. Mr O’Connor: I would like to ask Mr Stanton who came along in a motor car to have their boots repaired. We don’t want it getting ‘out in the Press that some of our people go in motor cars. It -would not look nice. Can he tell us who it was? Mr Stanton: Like Mr O’Connor, I don’t happen to be interested enough, to know. But they coming down in every way. That chap there (pointing to a young fellow), came down on a .horse. Here stand up. Didn’t you come down on a horse? A youth: Yes, I came down on a horse (Laughter). A member: I’m going down in a Baby Austin. Mr O’Connor: As a speaker told a meeting previously, ’excuse me Mugs.’ But when Mr Stanton mentioned motor cars, I maintained that he was not right, and I took him up. A member: I went part of the way in a car, because a friend picked me up, and gave me a lift. Mr Stanton: To put the position plainly, it is no good you chaps thinking that we could cope with the work in three days. My mate is getting two days extra, being a four-day man. and I am getting three days extra, as a three-day man. Now I am willing to chuck one day back. I will do the three extra days, and give one back Co our funds. After this week the rush will be over, and we will come back to normal.

Mr Cairney: The rush will last for about three months. I am working full time for £3 2/6 per week, and I offered to work full time during my week off for £2, or £2 10/-. I told the Mayor that we wanted a man stripping. By the time we have finished with the rush, the first lot repaired will need doing again,—that’s if the leather is no good. A member: Is this meeting trying to administer the Mayor’s Fund? The Chairman: No. but the Mayor wants this meeting to control the work.

A member: The boot repairing is going along alright, and we should leave well alone. Mr Saint: It is a good thing, and I hope .that nobody will abuse it. Mr Stanton: There are twenty pairs waiting to be called for, so we are well ahead with our work. Mr O’Connor moved that the report of the boot repairers be received as satisfactory. Mr Mclnroe seconded, and the motion was carried.

It was resolved that the capitation foes due to the District Council be paid from the General Fund.

The meeting then went into committee to consider the proposal to establish a soup kitchen in the borough. It was later reported (hat the project was favoured by 92 votes to 12. It. was also reported that the forms for the circulating of the petition asking the Government to provide work for the single men. instead of forcing them into camps, had been prepared,