WIRI PIT WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21844, 5 July 1934, Page 15

WIRI PIT WORK

Sir, —The discharge of "approximately 150 men who have been employed by the I? ail way Department on various undertakings at No. 5 schemo rates of relief pay" was in itself an injury of serious consequence to the men concerned. The report containing this statement also states that a certain number of men —about 30—have by their ability and willingness to work secured for themselves, during the past two or three years, "regular positions at satisfactory wages. By the change now pending at Otahuhu and Wiri, a further 18 men will be added to the department's roll of employees." The inference is plain that the remainder of the men have not "proved their ability to do the work set for them." It is against this inference that we desiro to protest. In tho first place, the bread and tea diet of tho relief worker does not permit him to show what ho could do if ho possessed "regular work at satisfactory wages." In the second place, there is no incentive to work hard (even if he were physically able), as the chancre of engagement is remote, and the harder ho works, the quicker he will be informed, as in the present instance, that the department's programme has now been finished. In the third place, relief pay is not wages, and wage work cannot be expected for it. Lastly, old men, sick men, delicate men unused to manual labour —these are to bo found on relief work as well as experienced manual workers. On behalf of tho relief workers of Wiri Pit, i S. W. Scott.