NORTHERN JUGO-SLAVS

Otago Witness, Issue 3348, 15 May 1918, Page 24

NORTHERN JUGO-SLAVS

SHIRKING GOVERNMENT WORK. AUCKLAND, May 10. The employment o£ Jugo-Siavs in Government work is being hampered by the attitude of tho men themselves. A statement making tho fact apparent was made yesterday by Mr John (Julleii (Commissioner in charge of tho Jugo-Slav organisation branch of the Defence Department). "A fair percentage of Jugo-Slavs are trying to shirk Government work, which at the time of their registration they agreed to do," said Mr Culle-n-. 'They arc resorting to medical certificates and to solicitors, who are interesting themselves- on behalf of the men to get them out of going on. to Government works. Many JugoSlavs are leaving their former places of residence without notifying me of their changes of address in spite of the fact that they were warned to do so. At present we cannot find these men.. " A fair number have been employed by the Government on road and railway construction, and drainage works, and have been paid the same wages as British labourers. Presumably, therefore, the remainder would be employed on the same terms. There is no doubt that drastic measures will be taken by the Government in connection with these shirkers. Those failing to report- for work and giving no good grounds for so doing will be arrested and interned at an early date. They cannot leave the dominion, and are bound to bo found and arrested if ihey do not voluntarily report themselves for work quickly. No notice will be taken by the Defenco Department of the medical certificates of unfitness to work which are being obtained by some of the Jugo-Slavs. The men will all have to be examined later by medical men engaged by the department. J have registered over 1700 JugoSlavs to date, but there are still some who have failed to register despite advertisements calling on them to do so. These men also will undoubtedly bo interned unless they soon register." Inquiries from other sources elicited the information that a oertain number of JugoSlavs were exhibiting a spirit of resentment against interfering with them in any way. They are declared to be really exploiting the British population at present by demanding and obtaining exorbitant wages and declining to give up such remunerative employment in order to go on to Government works. Some Jugo-Slavs arc reported to be earning 25s per chain in drainage work under private employers, taking contracts over the heads of British competitors. They work long hours, and can readily do more than a chain a day. In a certain district several Jt!go-Slavs are going about from farm to farm seeking employment in order to avoid doing Government work. The engagement of these men after registration will not bo recognised by the Defence Department, and farmers are ■ti]-)]o jo ]osf» their services at any time. The? opinion is expressed that there can bo little doubt that the upshot of the present 7 position will be that after tho war the JugoSlavs who have endeavoured to shirk their duties will be gathered together by the Government and expatriated.