MAN-POWER RAID

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 7 January 1944, Page 5

MAN-POWER RAID

WORK WITHOUT PERMIT SWIMMING POOL IN HOME Sydney. Dec. 24. Officers of the New South Wales Manpower Directorate visited a luxury home at a seaside suburb and found a number of men constructing a concrete driveway and a large swimming pool, the deputy-Director of Manpower, Mr J. Bellemore, stated in Sydney. Mr Bellemore said that it was discovered after the raid that eight of the men were employees of a big Sydney firm which it was believed had supplied materials being used. Mr Bellemore added that he would withdraw all employees from the firm and divert them to essential war work. He would also investigate the activi- « ties of any firm which had supplied materials, and if these firms could not satisfactorily explain their action he would divert their staffs to essential work also. The firm by which the eight men are alleged to be employed is a protected undertaking. The raiding officers believe that 16 men were working when they arrived, but because of the nature of the surrounding country and the posting of ■ scouts.” all except four escaped before they could be questioned. As the officers approached the house an additional 14 men. some of whom it is thought had been working on the job, were driven away from the house. While the four men were being questioned several women moved about the property. Officers believe some of them warned the workmen and enabled them to escape. The owner, it is stated, admitted that 16 men had been employed Material found on the property included 70 bags of cement, tons of steel mesh. 17.000 bricks, and tons of gravel and sand "In spite of the obviously expensive nature of the work being done and the luxurious premises, the owner, while being questioned, admitted that he had not presented an income tax return for last year. He said he had not earned £IOO during the year,” Mr Bellemore said. Mr Bellemore'added that he would recommend immediate prosecution of the owner of the house for having engaged labour without a permit and against the firm whose employees were found on the job. for having allowed its employees to work for another employer. Information would be made available to other authorities who could investigate how the materials were ob tained.