WORK FOE JUGOSLAVS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16873, 11 June 1918, Page 6

WORK FOE JUGOSLAVS.

THREE HUNDRED EMPLOYED.

DRAINAGE, RAILWAYS AND ROADS.

The scheme for the utilisation of tke labour of Jugoslavs, which is being carried out under the direction of Mr. John Cullen, 1.5.0.. is now well developed, and some 300 Dalmatians aro already employed upon Government works. The operations on which they are engaged are the KaitaiaAwtinui drainage works, the Kaikohe railway extension and road works, the Wha-ngarei-Mani;apni railway connection, ; the North Auckland Main" Trunk railway at Maungaturoto, the Or.garue-Stratford railway works, in the neighbourhood of Okahukur», the Waiuku railway extension, and the Hauraki Plains and Rangitaiki Swamp drainage. As yet only a comparatively small proportion of the available Slav labour is being called up. Exemption from Government service is being allowed in the case of Dalmatian farmers and farm employees, and those in the employment of drainage boards. MEN LEAVING DRAINAGE WORKS. ■ IS . WAIHJ DEPUTATION'S COMPLAINT. [NY telegraph.—special BEPOETEK.] WAIHI, Monday. Complaint was made by a deputation that waited on the Hon. D. H. Guthrie, Minister for Lands, to-day that Jugoslavs employed on drainage works in the district were being taken away to other works, and the feeling was expressed that where the men are engaged on contracts they should not be disturbed. Mr. Guthrie said he had been informed by Mr. J. Cullen that the men were not being disturbed. What had probably happened was that the men had been offered better wages elsewhere and had accepted the work to avoid working for the Government. He advised them to write to Mr. Cullen to ascertain the position.