GERMAN LABOR LEAGUE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18068, 20 April 1933, Page 4

GERMAN LABOR LEAGUE

UNEMPLOYED EARN THEIR KEEP VOLUNTEER SQUADS EVERYWHERE MOVEMENT MOST SUCCESSFUL BERLIN, Feb. 18. Germany’s Volunteer Labor Service has proved one of tho most satisfactory experiments in recent years to combat tho demoralising consequences ot unemployment. One million men and 400,000 women under tho ago of 25 avo looking for jobs. Thanks to the Volunteer Labor Service almost half a million men and several thousand women were able to earn their keep and a little extra. In November, 280,000 youths were enlisted as labor volunteers. With winter halting most of tho outdoor work, they number less than half of that total but authorities expect that half a million youths will again bo found toiling under the banner of tho Volunteer Labor Service in tho spring. Volunteer labor service was started by the Young German Order. It was then taken up by tho Steel Helmet War Veterans and similar organisations. First their groups contracted directly with towns or farmers, offering to work for their “keep” and pocket money. Volunteer squads arc working in all parts of Germany at all kinds of jobs. Their tasks range from draining rivers and reclaiming land to scientific work. Some even darn and sew for unemployed girls.

MOVEMENT NOW ON NATIONAL SCHEDULE. The movement now is drawn up on a national schedule. The government’s labor offices pay 2s a day, provided tho work the volunteers do is “of value to the nation’s business” and does not conflict with regular labor projects. A community, for instance,. finds that it needs a new highway but is short of funds. It applies to the labor office of the district, explaining why the road should bo built, how it will assist business, and asks for money to finance the work of the labor volunteers. The community must provide the material for the project. If it convinces the labor office that its scheme is sound the labor office will, if desired, detail a volunteer squad for the job and pay it directly. Tn most eases, however, it advances part of the funds for tho volunteers to the community which rhooses its own volunteers — either from church groups or political organisations. MAY ENLIST FOR 20 OR 40 WEEKS Leaders who have proved that they can enforce discipline and keep up the right spirit in their groups are placed in charge of tho squads. All members of the Volunteer Labor Service may enlist for 20 weeks. In some cases involving special work they mav bo enlisted for 40 weeks. Tho squads work six days a week, between six and eight hours a day, depending on their strength. Of the 13s 6d a volunteer is paid, lie or she must bo fed, housed and clothed. A few pence for cigarettes and stamps aro left.

It would bo an almost impossible task to feed the youths on this sum in a city. But tho jobs aro usually in the country where farmers are ready to sell their food for almost nothing.

The faro is primitive—potato soup, eabbago soup, pea soup, with an occasional slab of meat generally cooked in field kitchens. Barns with straw bedding form tho headquarters. Communists have attempted to exploit tho dissatisfaction of volunteers from cities, who are not accustomed to this primitive life. But they have failed because most of the workers are gratelul for a. chance to earn their daily bread and keep a roof over their beads.