RELIEF WORKERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 295, 10 November 1934, Page 8

RELIEF WORKERS

DEPUTATION TO MAYOR. AT VARIANCE OVER “SMOKO” INTERVAL. A deputation representing the Unemployed Workers’ Movement waited on the Mayor (Mr A. E. Mansford) this morning in connection with the dismissal of 12 men from the relief works at the Hokowhitu Domain. The speakers, Messrs F. Lee, McLaren, Ambrose and Waterhouse, stated that a 20 minutes "smoko” interval had been in operation until yesterday, when it had been reduced to 10 minutes. The men had decided to take a spell of 20 minutes and when they desired to resume were told by the foreman that the tool box was locked. The speakers stated that a 20 minutes’ break both in the morning and afternoon had been a recognised concession for several years. They desired reinstatement and the making up of the time lost. The Mayor said he had been told by Mr Kemp that the 20-minute break had been in existence for practically no time and that 10 minutes was the allotted period. It was stated to him that the 20 minute period for the relief workers had caused friction among the other men, and he had decided to bring the matter before the council. However, the relief workers had taken the law into their own hands in the meantime. He asked why only a third of the men were protesting and the rest were working. Mr Lee said the remainder had evidently been intimidated so as not to abide by their principles. Mr Mansford; if you men are reinstated are you prepared to abide by the rule concerning the 10 minutes “smoko”? I have got to get into touch with Mr Cadwallader, of the Labour Department, but it is useless my communicating with him if you will not give an undertaking. Mr Lee; We want reinstatement, but we reserve the right to have our opinions on the rules of the Unemployment Board. The speaker reiterated that the recognised break was 20 minutes.

Mr Mansford said the council could not reinstate the men; it rested with the Unemployment Board. Mr R. Lee said that the reduction to ten minutes had been sprung on the men as a surprise. If the board and the council were not geoing to reinstate the men unless they abided by the 10-minute interval he suggested that they fight to the last ditch the attitude taken up by the board. The Mayor communicated with Mr Cadwallader by telephone, and informed the men that any greater interval than a quarter of an hour was considered by that officer to be unreasonable.

Mr Lee suggested that the Mayor use his influence to have the men reinstated. The City Council could then decide what was a reasonable period and if it was still reduced from 20 minutes that was another matter altogether. The Mayor said he would use what influence lie could, but the matter would have to be settled by the City Council on Mondav evening. He understood the interval allowed the men had only recently crept up to 20 minutes. The council’s decision would he communicated to the men, and, as far as he personally was concerned, they would be allowed to make up the time lost this week. Mr Lee said he presumed that after the council made its decision ns to what period for “smoko” should he allowed, the onus would be on the men if they violated the arrangement.

The Mayor: Exactly. The deputation then withdrew