Tree Planters March on Nelson

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7191, 24 June 1933, Page 7

Tree Planters March on Nelson

Forty-Four Relief Workers PROTEST AGAINST CONDITIONS NELSON, June 22, Yesterday morning 55 single men at: Spooner’s Range unemployment camps, engaged in tree-planting operations under the Forestry Department scheme, ceased work, and this morning 44 of them commenced to walk to town, a distance of 30 miles. It is stated the men took action ns a protest against the general conditions existing in the camps. Mr F. W. Forster, conservator of forests, when approached to-day, said he preferred not to make any statement at present. He remarked, however, that about 150 other meu are in camp 3 at Golden Downs, and that no serious complaints have been made regarding their conditions. Ono of the men to-day said that tlie men from No. 1 and No. 2 camps on Spooner’s Range decided to leave ths camps and come into town as a protest against the conditions. The men allege that in the camps there were no bathing or washing facilities, the food was sometimes half raw, and the rigorous conditions made it very hard on the men. They knew that life in such camps could not be luxurious, but they contended more could be done to make conditions bearable. Meetings were held, and though a number of men. wore against leaving the camp and marching to town, they had supported the majority. Arrival .in City

MR ATMORE APPROACHED NELSON, Last Night, After spending last night at Richmond, the fifty relief workers from tho Spooner’s Range treo planting camps arrived in the city at 11.30 o'clock this morning, and their arrival aroused much interest. Carrying swags, mainly of blankets and heavy boots, they marched in column of fours, being quite orderly as they arrived in the main street. They were in good spirits and fairly fresh, considering they had walked nine miles this morning. Most of them wmre overcoats, and generally were tidy and reasonably well clad. On tho march, hotels and farm houses supplied food, while tho Mayor of Richmond provided sleeping quarters, supper, and breakfast. The party "waited on Mr H. Atmorc, M.P., alleging that the camp conditions were not as good as those in the North Island camps, the main objection being to the mess tent with earth floor. The men requested to bo sent homo to Wellington. Mr Atmoro promised to make representations (to the Government of the complaints put before him. No Agreement So Far NELSON, Last Night. The relief campers who arrived at Nolsou to-day were accommodated by the Nelson Relief Comniitteo at tho Y.M.C.A. to-night. So far no agreement has been reached regarding the mens’ return to camp.