DISPUTE AT CAMP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19740, 13 September 1927, Page 12

DISPUTE AT CAMP.

RELIEF WORKERS DISMISSED. SEQUEL TO A " STRIKE." , [B3T TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CARTERTON, Monday. The formerly unemployed men who are engaged on widening the road between the foot of Rimutaka Hill and Featherston have been dismissed, with the exception of three. It is alleged that a ganger made an attack on a small man, whose mate came to his assistance. When the trouble quiotened it is ! alleged that tho man refused to work under the ganger and went on strike. When a report was made to the Public Works Department an officer arrived and put off six men, then another six, and finally all except three. The men who have lost their jobs, it is said, total 32, and include the ganger. Work on tho Fcatherston side of the hill is at a standstill in consequence. The Rimutaka Kills police and officials are reticent about the "strike," but it is stated that the men had been seething against the alleged severity of a ganger. t The Public Works engineer was aidvised "f the position and, after inspecting the camp, advised 19 single men that their services were not required, stating, it is alleged, that the department was putting off all single workers. The engineer returned a few days later, and not being satisfied with the conditions at the camp, put off six more. Two days later a further six were dismissed. The position then was that only three men were left to look after the camp. Of these one went for a ride on a motorcycle and met with an accident which necessitated his retirement. The other two men are still at the camp. STATEMENT BY ENGINEER. COMPLAINTS FROM POLICE. [BY TELEGRAPH.—-PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. Regarding, tho . Rimutaka t trouble, Mr. C. McK.eu7.ie, assistant-engineer of the Public Works Department, said it was true 20 men had been dismissed. All of them wsre single, except two. There have been police complaints with regard to the conduct at the camp, allegedly due to drinking. Married men from the Tawa Flat undertaking were being sent to Rimutaka. Mr. McKenzie said he thought the statement attributed to the engineer regarding the putting oft of all the single men would i he found to lack confirmation.