JUGOSLAV SHIRKERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16847, 11 May 1918, Page 8

JUGOSLAV SHIRKERS.

MANY EVADING SERVICE.

DRASTIC MEASURES PENDING. Tins employment of Jugoslavs in Government -work is being hampered by the attitude of these men themselves. A statement making the fact apparent -was made yesterday by Mr. John Cullen, commissioner in charge of the Jugoslav organisation branch of the Defence Department.

"A fair percentage of the Jugoslavs are trying to shirk the Government work, which, at the time of their registration, they agreed to do," said Mr. Cullen. " They are resorting to medical certificates, and to solicitors "who are interesting themselves on behalf of the men to get them out of going on to Government works. Many of the Jugoslavs are leaving their former places tof residence without notifying me of their changes of address, in spite of the fact that they were warned to do so. At present we cannot find these men. A fair number have been employed by the Government on road and railway construction, % and drainage works, and have been paid the'same wages as British labourers. Presumably, therefore, the remainder would be employed on the same terms.

" There is no doubt that drastic measures will be taken by the Government in connection with these shirkers?" said the commissioner. "Those failing to report for work, and having no good grounds for so doing, will be arrested and interned at an early date. They cannot leave the Dominion, and are bound to be found and arrested if they do not voluntarily report themselves for work quickly. No notice will be taken by the Defence Department of the medical certificates of unfitness to work being obtained by some of the Jugoslavs. The men will all have to be examined later by the medical men engaged by the "Department. I have registered over 1700 Jugoslavs to date, but there are still some who have failed to register, despite the advertisements calling on them to do so. These men also will undoubtedly be interned unless they soon register. . Inquiries from other sources elicited the information that a certain number of Jugoslavs are exhibiting a spirit of resentment against the Government interfering with them in any way. Many are declared to be really exploiting the British population at present by demanding and obtaining exorbitant wages and declining to give up such remunerative employment m order to go on to Government works, Some Jugoslavs are reported to be earning 25s a chain in drainage work' under private employers,_ taking contracts over the heads of British competitors. They work long hours, and can readily do more than a chain a day. In certain districts several Jugoslavs are going about from farm to farm seeking employment, in order to avoid doing Government work, farmers should be warned that the engagement of these men, after registration, will not be recognised by the Defence Department, and that they are liable to lose their services at any time. The opinion is expressed that there can be little doubt but that the upshot of the present position will be that, after the war, these Jugoslavs who have endeavoured to shirk their duties will be gathered together by the Government, and expatriated. The president of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce stated yesterday at the meeting of the council of the chamber that he had asked Mr. Cullen to state under what conditions the Jugoslavs were to be employed by the Government, and what wages they were to receive. The chamber had heard that they were to be given higher wages than they were re- i cemng at present. There was a strong' feeling they should not get more than the soldiers at the front. Mr. Cullen had replied _ that this matter was not under his jurisdiction. It was decided to seek the information from the Government De- | partments concerned.