THE AERODROME WORKERS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 303, 20 November 1935, Page 8

THE AERODROME WORKERS.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—ln answer to “An Old Identity” I must state it is a pity he did not study all the facts about the aerodrome workers before he published a letter, or perhaps he is so old his eyes have become weak and he can only see one side of anything, or perhaps his eye-brows are long and bushy and he cannot see through them. The men at the aerodrome have only been employed at five days a week for four weeks now, and the average weekly earnings are approximately £2 10s, «o what chance would a man with a family of four or five children have to put a little happier. Regarding the payment of the 5s unemployment levy, the men were promised that concession but did not receive it.—l am, etc., AERODROME AVORKER. (To the Editor.) Sir,—AVith regard to a letter published in last night’s “Standard” and written by “An Old Identity,” I very much object to the unfair remarks aimed at the Milson aerodrome workers. In the first place we do not get five days a week at standard rates of pay, and furthermore we will not get two weeks’ holiday on full pay at Christmas. AVe get paid for what we earn on the co-operative system, and will be paid only for three days at Christmas. Our past weekly payments for five days’ work have rarely exceeded two pounds with a promise of the balance (if any) when the Public AA’orks Department think fit. Considerable discontent has been caused among the workers over the balances paid, and we were kept waiting a fortnight after the measure up for the money. Not a week passes without we lose wet time, and I have been drenched to the skin two days running only to find that I am losing time after travelling three miles each way. Now, then, “Old Identity,” regarding your impudent remarks about our having no desire for work, do you consider two hundred men are in the wrong when they are putting up a fight to Mr Bromley against the unfair conditions and task work system imposed upon us for the benefit of a private company that does not find a penny towards our wages? Your remarks concerning Capitalism only make me pity you in your ignorance, for you must be a very old man and behind the times when you say that the only road to prosperity is industry and thrift. AA T e have had more than enough of that nonsense, and T would advise you to do a little more reading and study of vour own, and don’t swallow all that Mr Coates tells you. Your concern over a good working majority being won the National Government at the coming election is well founded, and I would advise you to forget your narrow outlook and nasty remarks and vote Labour.—l am, etc., AERO AVORKER.