RUSH TO RELIEF WORK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 10

RUSH TO RELIEF WORK.

SHORTER HOURS: SAME PAY.

MORNING AND AFTERNOON TEA.

MEN LEAVING OTHER TASKS.

[by telegraph.—pbess association.] WELLINGTON. Wednesday.

Astonishing allegations as to what is happening in the ranks of the employed or unemployed as a result of the Government's decision to pay union rates on relief works were made at the meeting of the New Zealand Farmers' Union executive to-day. Mr. J. Preston (Waikouaiti) stated that in his county they had a lot of men engaged on the roads under the Highways Board, and there was a crusher working for the county. The men from the crusher had gone over to the unemployed because they worked for the same rate of pay, but had shorter hours to get it. When employed on relief work they got morning and afternoon tea, added Mr. Preston, and they only worked 5' s days a week, having half-a-day off. He had had two men grubbing gorse, paying them £2 a week and keep, and they had left to go on unemployed relief work.

Mr. W. B. Mathieson: It amounts to a premium on unemployment. Mr. A. A, Ross (Auckland) said tho matter required looking into.

Mr. Mathieson: I move that the executive objects to a bonus being offered to unemployment. That is the plain English of it.. A Voice: Not a doubt. It means a bonus and more unemployment. The following motion was passed :~ " That the attention of the Government be drawn to the number of mon who ara leaving their employment to join relief works owing to the increased pay being given."

WORK FOE EIGHTY MEN. PRIME MINISTER'S MESSAGE. Following representations made by him on the subject of unemployment in Auckland, Mr. J. S. Fletcher, M.P., yesterday received the following telegram from the Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward:—"lnstructions have been given to put 80 men in' employment immediately, and special inquiries are being made with a view to placing more men in work." In his communications on the subject Mr. Fletcher suggested highways work should be found for the men, and he considers it possible this will be done for the 80 men mentioned in the message.