RELIEF WORKERS.

Southland Times, Issue 22158, 28 October 1933, Page 9

RELIEF WORKERS.

To the Editor. Si r> —l will be glad if you will allow me space in your columns to correct a statement made by Mr Hargest, M.P., in the House of Representatives during the debate on Unemployment, details of which were published in the Times yesterday. When discussing contract Mr Hargest stated that much had been done in his district on the contract basis, and went on to outline conditions at Duck Creek where, he stated, the men had struck four months ago, but had agreed to go back for a fortnight and give the contract a further trial. This statement is not correct. Nine months ago the men were put on contract and told that any man refusing same would be debarred relief. The men were forced to accept the conditions with the exception of 13 who refused what they considered to be an attempt to “conscript” them. They were not given the opportunity of returning to work in order to make a further trial of the job, as the officials well knew that such offer would be refused. Although the mer. at Duck Creek are earning more than the No. 5 Scheme men, the honourable gentleman must not feel that the Duck Creek men are a cut above the No. 5 Scheme worker. Mr Hargest has said nothing about the men who have had to leave Duck Crc ;k through their health breaking down owing to their having to work in gumboots in water all day. These men have endeavoured to keep up with their stronger mates with the result that some of them will suffer for the rest of their lives. It is to bo regretted that Mr Hargest has introduced the Public Works contract system into the debate when the subject under discussion was the “piecework” system introduced by the board and put into operation by the Southland County Council—an entirely different type of work where the men work five days a week, but receive their ordinary allocation, the balance being paid in weekly allocation instalments on completion of the work. It appears to be an attempt to cloud the issue and will not be allowed to pass without further comment by other members in the House who have a better grasp of the position than Mr Hargest—l am, e«. Provincial Secretary, Relief Workers’ Organization.