RELIEF WORKERS’ STRIKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 30 November 1933, Page 8

RELIEF WORKERS’ STRIKE

LOCAL BODY SUPPORTS CLAIM ' GOVERNMENT CRITICISED (By Telegraph—Press Association) WAIROA, 29th November. Relief workers employed on the Wai-roa-Waikokopu railway recently refused work, claiming that the work was maintenance, and should he paid lor at standard rates, and struck. The result was that the men concerned have been refused further relief by the board. At last night’s meeting of the \\ airoa Council, the Mayor (Mr Darker) referred to the position, claiming that the men had a perfectly legitimate complaint, and every locaf body in New Zealand should point out to the Government tjje unsatisfactory state of affairs so far as the Unemployment Board is concerned. , In a trenchant criticism of the board s action, Mr Harker stated that he believed that the Government was forcing revolution in the country by its actions towards the unemployed. Mr Harker moved the following motion, which was carried unanimously:— “This council voices strong disapproval of the attitude of the Government m forcing men to do maintenance work at unemployed rates paid out of the unemployment funds, as by carrying on this policy the Government is depriving men of the possibility of earning a livelihood.” , . Councillor Glengarry further moved that the council should provide work for tlie men on strike, but this was withdrawn, it being most apparent that without taking official action the matter of assisting men to earn sustenance con.cl he attended to by the works committee.