MEN CEASE WORK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22352, 25 February 1936, Page 10

MEN CEASE WORK

HIGHER PAY DEMANDED NORTH AUCKLAND DISPUTE [by telegraph—own correspondent] WHANGAREI, Monday The work of road-making and tho clearing of the land under the small farms scheme at Souminan and McKenzie's block, ' known as "Mata," about four miles from Kohukohu, has ceased, as tho 49 men engaged on tho work have gone on "strike." All tho men concerned are single men living in single men's camps. Recently the 23 men who were engaged in providing road access were granted 9s a day by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple. The remaining 20 men employed in clearing the land and erecting fences declared a "strike," demanding a similar wage, and to complicate matters the men receiving 9s a day have also ceased work out of sympathy. Mr. R. H. P. Ronayne, district engineer of tho Public Works Department, Whangarei, under whose control tho men are employed, to-day telegraphed the Government advising it of the position. "The whole question is a matter of policy and is solely for the Government to decide," said Mr. Ronayne. The ordinary pay for single men on the work is 17s 6d a week with found, while those who received 9s a day have to keep themselves.