FORESTRY CAMP TROUBLE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 1 September 1932, Page 5

FORESTRY CAMP TROUBLE

UNEMPLOYMENT BOARD'S ATTITUDE Interviewed at Rotorua on Monday regarding the difficulty which has arisen through a number of men leaving a forestry camp and coining into Rotorua recently, Mr J. S. Jessep, chairman of the Unemployment Board, indicated that tlie hoard was not pronosing tp take any action, states the “"Rotorua Morning Post.” He stated that the men had been well found in food, firewood, shelter, and had been receiving a certain amount of cash. There were plenty of citizens among those providing the money for this relief who were themselves in no better case; and if the men who had caused the trouble chose to deliberately turn down the relief provided by their follow citizens, (lie board could only accept it that they were in no great distress, and, as trustees of the fund, make the relief available to more deserving people. A telegram was received on Monday from the Acting-Minister of Employment, the Hon. A. Hamilton, by Mr C. 11. Clinkard, M.P., in connection with the recommendations for the relief workers from the Kaingaroa Plains. Mr Hamilton stated that these men were employed by tlie Forestry Department, and liie Unemployment Board found the money to pay tlie men relief wages. As tlie men left their employment, they broke contract with the Forestry Department, and (he board had no authority to supply money lo pay expenses in helping tlie men to return to their I ionics. Ten of the 36 men concerned have returned (o llioir homes, and (lie remainder are stranded in the town and arc without means. Tlie Rolorua Relief Workers’ Association litis helped to .secure food arid lodging for the men up to the present, but llicir position is becoming serious. Representations were made lo the Acting-Minister of -Employment for assistance, so that tlie men could return to the places from which they came.