RELIEF WORK STRIKE

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1932, Page 6

RELIEF WORK STRIKE

IN HAWKE’S BAY Over Foreman’s Action (Per Press Association). HASTINGS, September 20. The relief workers here are all on strike as the result of the foreman on a job dismissing nine of the men. The men refused to obey an order to take off coats when they were working. Following this incident other complaints have arisen. The relief workers at a meeting to-day. condemned the new scheme of relief work which was brought into operation this week, ami they demanded the reinstatement of the old scheme at 12s 6d per day, the full qtiota of work, sustenance for both the single and married men, ami the abolition of the compulsory camps. All of the relief works were declared black until the men’s demands were acceded to. The Mayor, Mr G. F. Roach, attended the relief workers- meeting later, and he suggested that the dismissed men should go with him and face the foreman concerned (Mi- McGill), but the meeting disapproved of the proposal, they demanding that the foreman should be brought to the full meeting, to which proposal the Mayor declined to agree. The men’s meeting was resumed this afternoon, and it was resolved not to accept work if Mr McGill is retained as foreman. Arrangements were discussed for the extending of the strike to the outlying districts, and also to Napier. It was decided to take a firm stand in refusing work until the demands are acceded to. Support for Strikers FROM UNEMPLOYMENT COMMITTEE. (Pf*r Press Association). HASTINGS, September 20. Following the relief workers’ strike, a si ecial meeting of th P Local Unen* ployment Committee was held to-night. It was decided to invite th e ,>parties to the Beatson Park dispute to meet the Cqmm.it tee at a conference to morrow. It was also decided to send a telegram to the Unemployment Commissioner expressing the committee’s sympathy with the men in their protest against the reduction in the rates of pay and against the abandonment of the former scheme of employment.

FARMER’S DEMAND Cheaper Labour Than Relief Rate (Per Press Association). AUCKLAND. Sept, 20. Allegations that forty relief workers on a job at Manurewa, were deliberately loafing, were made by a farmer to the Manukau County Council, to-day. The farmer, Arthur Roberts, said that already £6OO had been paid out. He considered the whole job should not cost more than £2OO, but at the rate of work being done, it would cost another £l5OO, making £2lOO. He asserted it was evident there was an organised movement among a large number of men to loaf and to make those who wanted to work do likewise also. There had been deliberate destruction (If slashers p.nd grubbers. He suggested that the Council select eight or ten men and remove the others. The Chairman of the Council pointed out that all the complainant had to pay was £5O. Many of the men were skilled tradesmen, but knew nothing of farm work, and they could not work like those accustomed to farm conditions. If they were not working they would have to be kept. It was decided that the allegations be investigated. COMPULSORY GARDENING CONDEMNED. CHRISTCHURCH, September 20. “That while this association sympat hises with the Unemployment Board in its efforts to assist the unemployed in the growing of vegetables, it obj“vts to the compulsory clauses in the Act, and to the principle of permitting the growing of vegetables in public parks. ’ ’ The above motion was passed at the meeting of the Christchurch Tomato and Stone Fruit Growers’ Association. A letter was received from the council of the Canterbury Association of Workers, which, drew the attention of the Association to the question of unemployed workers being provided with sections for the purpose of growing vegetables. The council of the Industrial Association asked for support in its protest against the intro-1 duction of such a scheme, contending I ’hat its effects would be grievously' detrimental to those who were striving to earn a living by growing vegetables, and would in all probability in-' crease the number of those who were dependent upon the relief offered by th e Unemployment Funds. In spite of the published assurance of the Gardens Allotment Committee to the contrary, the council was firmly of the opinion that no amount oi “strict supiervision’’ would prevent, the possibility of these results. Mr J. W. Ball expressed the opinion that the protest should bo supported. He pointed out. that the unemployed allotment-holders would b 0 competing on unfair terms with professional growers, who had to pfiy for their kind and equipment. Mr H. Rushworth drew attention to the fact that clauses i n the Act authorising this scheme made it compul-

sory for th e unemployed to take up allotments where available. The motion set out above was moved by him as an amendment to a motion of Mr Holland and carried. WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED. CHRISTCHURCH, September 20. A motion approving of a grant of £l-500 for the M ’Cormack’s Bay causeway, a project to provide work for the unemployed, was carried al the meeting of the City Council. It was decided that the question of details should be left to the Finance Committee. NEW RATES OPPOSED. MILLERTON, September 20. The unemployed at Millerton are making a strong protest against the new scheme for country districts, laid down by the Unemployment Board, as it is considered to be quite unfair to further lower the rate of remuneration: for the work done. CARTERTON, September 20. A meeting of the unemployed men and business men decided unanimously to protest against the differentiation in treatment of unemployed in cities and th c country, and to assist o n equal facilities being given to the country. The resolution was forwarded to the Minister, and the Board, by the- Bor ough Council.