In the Wrong Union

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 267, 12 November 1945, Page 4

In the Wrong Union

O The outside employees of the Manawatu Drainage Board recently asked for an increase in the butter ration and this has been refused. These men leave the city at 6.40 a.m. daily and do not return before 5 p.m. On alternate Saturdays they work a full day. The overseer advised that their largest meal of the day was at the 10 o’clock break, some four hours after the previous meal. It was felt that the ration of six ounces of butter a week was too small to meet the needs of cut lunches. These men are unfortunately in the wrong union. Were they seamen they would be subject to no rationing restrictions at all. Furthermore, they would under their agreement with their employers be entitled to 211b,5. of butter (400z5.), and not a mere six ounces weekly. The seamen’s daily ration of butter would be almost equal to that granted the Manawatu drainers for a whole week. The seamen, moreover, do not have to depend upon cut lunches, eaten out of doors in all weathers. They have the ship’s galley preparing hot food the clock round. Even better are the terms of their employment, for though the risk of war has passed the seamen still draw £l2 a month bonus for the “dangers” of war risk about our peaceful New Zealand shores. It’s a glorious racket if you’re in the right union!

Dominion Bowling Tournament. I Record entries have been received for the New Zealand bowling championships which will start in Christchurch on January 8 and extend over a fortnight. The secretary of the New s Zealand Bowling Association (Mr. S. F. I Marshall) has received 1730 entries I with more to come, thus eclipsing the previous record of 1724 received for the 1945 championships. Accommodation and markers and umpires for the singles games are still the major problems for the association, although good progress has been made in securing hotel rooms or board in private homos for visiting players*

Help for Those Who Help Themselves “ There are those who say New Zea-1 land is becoming a nation of scroungers leaning on a Central Government,” said Mr. M. H. Oram, M.P., speaking at the Palmerston North Girls’ High * School gala on Saturday. He thought ! those who were prepared to help themselves were worthy of the greatest consideration, and pointed to the efforts of the Parents’ Association as an example in providing necessary amenities for the school for which finance was not otherwise available- *