A CASE OF HARDSHIP.

NZ Truth, Issue 868, 15 July 1922, Page 12

A CASE OF HARDSHIP.

■Dear "Truth," — After reading ' - A Case of Hardship" m you:; issue of June 17, I will try and" explain my own case. About October, last year, I was employed by the Foxton Borough Council. At that time it was discovered that we were not paid the correct wages and the Labor Department' had it made up and I' was givua a fortnight's notice. During the notice I ruptured myself throwing a bag of cement into the cart. I knew I "had done something-, but did njc find out for sure for. two, days, and. then I saw the doctor and he told me I had ruptured myself, and said I would have to obtain: a truss. As so many have the. complaint I did. not think it a for insurance till a fellow worker told/ me I should ' report it. $ reported it to the town clerk, who is also an insrranee agent. He led me to understand that I could not claim anything as I was under notice to leave and I did not report "it at. once. "I saw two doctors and they said it was }uite likely that I would not -Hoover the rupture for several days. Whexi I saw ; the town clerk again he tod me that j they recognised no liability and Would not 'even pay for the truss. I was advised to see a- solicitor. Beins out of work and having a family to keep I could not afford to do so. So I saw ; one of the councillors and told him that the clerk was putting everything' against me for compensation instead of assisting me. He" told nic that the; council' business was before 'iis ff'surance business and he would ha\°. to , rlo what he could for me. '"lie rupture has put me out of horse-riding and lots of other things a laborer has to

do; He seemed to think' "that'- it '..was. rot affecting me -for- the reason ..that I was out 'of work and couM not find out, but I .have, since' fo '.ml that it c!oes affect me- In any caso, he wrote, the\insiu'ance~fi:rm- again- and- they offered me £5. I told' him I -.did not think it. .a- fail- thing.' The doctor's fees , and iDurcha.se ;• of . tho truss amounted to^ that, so he offered me £10 arid advised- me. if I went <o law I might get more- and -lose it in -the expenses; so" I', agreed •• to., sign the ciuit-' tance and take the £10. A'ow, I r.ave this truss on all the'time, with sweat m the .daytime and on all night to dry, as drying .-by the fire might ruin it," What. I think -is this:. That a firm employing labor should Jiot have ah insurance agency. • Twere A/ere about f9urteen men at the time on his pay sheet. .Insurance is a takedown.—l' am,' etc. . ; ..',.. "SUFFRREE.\ .