DEFENCE AND THE WORKERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 12 June 1939, Page 8

DEFENCE AND THE WORKERS

iTo The Editor! Sir, —The Prime Minister is disappointed with the response to his appeal for recruits. Evidently it is gradually dawning on the poorer paid workers that they have nothing to “defend.” Even when they are lucky enough to be employed in so-called permanency, it’s a pretty hard struggle to live in decency and comfort, although a Labour Government has been in office since 1935. Take the general labourers for instance. A few years ago their trademark was a “bow-yang,” now, I think it has gone out of fashion, but they can easily be distinguished on a rainy day by mud from the tips of their boots to their ears, and sometimes higher. They have been waiting since last year for a new award governing their wages. At the present time they are not paid for any holidays whatever, and if it happens to rain too hard to work, they are sent home and get no pay for the time lost. The landlord expects his rent just the same, though; so also do the tradespeople their money. Something to "defend,” isn’t it‘ > Last week other workers indulged in a “paid” holiday, to celebrate the birthday of the reigning sovereign. My comrades and I would have liked to have been just as “loyal,” but were prevented from so doing by the thoughts of losing the cash.

In conclusion, Sir, I should like to suggest to m.v comrades who decorate the long-handled shovels, not to be-too hasty, but like Asquith, “wait and see” what sort of a deal they get in the new award, whether it’s worth “defending” or not.—l am. etc.. I. J. SMITH. Nelson, 10th June The inquisitive man stopped his car and asked a wayside market gardener how his business was progressing .“Not very good,” replied the gardener. “Why don’t you advertise?” “Advertise!” exclaimed the gardener. “Not me!” “Why not?” asked the motorist, puzzled. “I tried it once,” exclaimed the other, with a shake of his head. “It nearly ruined me. People came from miles away and they bought up all the durn stuff 1 had in stock.”

“What’s that building you've erected over there?” a friend asked Farmer Hayseed. “That.” said Farmer Hayseed, “if so be as I gets a tenant for it, is a bungalow. If so be as I don’t, it’s a barn.J