CHARGE OF "LOAFING"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21298, 27 September 1932, Page 11

CHARGE OF "LOAFING"

FARMER AND WORKERS WITHDRAWAL OF STATEMENT An investigation of allegations made by Mr. A. Roberts, farmer, of Ranfurly Road, Manurewa, that the relief workers employed on. his farm had been loafing and deliberately breaking tools was made yesterday by the "Over the-Fence" Com mitee of the Manukau County Council. The. committee, accompanied by the County Council chairman, Mr. F. M. Waters, and the Papakura Riding member, Mr. C. S. McCallum, met Mr. Roberts and representatives of the men on the job at Hill Road, Manurewa. "We emphatically deny that there has been loafing and, as ratepayers, the men would not countenance the deliberate smashing of tools," said Mr. J. E. Bracewell, on behalf of the men. "The men call upon the County Council to make Mr. Roberts prove or statements. There have been breakages in tool-handles, but that would be due to ordinary usage and 'the poor class of tools supplied." Mr. Roberts said it had been estimated that the job could be done for between £2OO and £3OO and to date it had cost nearly £IOOO in wages. The insurance made the job costly. After conferring with the committee, Mr. Roberts withdrew his allegation of Communism. He said he had probably been misinformed in regard to the deliberate breaking of tools; the quality of some tool-handles was inferior. "While I am prepared to accept the men's assurance that there has been no organised loafing, I am still of the opinion that the job has cost too much at £SO an acre to date," he concluded.

The men's representatives accepted Mr. Roberts' statement and thanked the council members and Mr. MoCallnm for their intervention. They could assure the council that tho men would play the game.