Public Opinion

Southland Times, Issue 23182, 24 April 1937, Page 18

Public Opinion

Letters sent to the Editor for printing must be written in ink on one side of the paper only dnd writers must send in their names and addresses in full whether they wish these to be printed or not. Writers must say clearly whether or not their letters are being, or have been, sent to other papers. The Editor cannot return or keep any letter which, for any reason, is unsuitable for printing, nor can he acknowledge unsuitable letters, although this will be done where it seems to be needful, or enter into any correspondence about letters sent In. Argument (Browns). —A’s partner takes three for a run, two for a pair and two for 31—a total of 7 holes. Farmer’s Wife (Tokanui). —Your questions were referred to the Department of Labour, which replied as follows: (a) On dairy farms with 10 or more cows £3 a week (£2 2/6 plus keep 17/6). (b) The same plus wages according to scale for the time spent on milking, (c) There is no scale of wages for harvesters at present, but there will be from May 1. (d) Marriage does not count, but age does, up to 21. THE NEED FOR A SMALL THEATRE To The Editor Sir, —The suggestion in “Sailor’s” letter that a small theatre with modern equipment and reasonably comfortable seats be included in the proposed art gallery and museum buildings is one that should meet the support of all who have the intellectual and cultural life of this city at heart. Our young people are well catered for physically; but what are we doing to encourage those organizations that are struggling under great difficulties to give an increasing number some interest in music, art and the theatre? I recognize the value of a good museum, but why spend thousands to house the deadfossils and stones and stuffed animals —and neglect the minds of the living? Touring companies of merit will never visit Invercargill until the Invercargill people have educated a sufficient public to make it worth their while. Do not hope to bring them here by sending telegrams of protest, but set to work to help the artistic movements that are in your midst. This is a duty that should be recognized by any enlightened city council.

The financial possibilities of such a theatre are not to be neglected. Companies and touring artists that _ could not hope to get a paying house in the existing municipal theatre would be attracted to visit a city possessing a comfortable up-to-date small theatre. It is a notorious fact that there is no small hall in Invercargill suitable for artists like La Meri or the Spivakovsky Trio, both of whom had shamefully poor houses here, or for the musical, orchestral and repertory societies that are keeping art and music alive in this city.—Yours, etc., SIR TOBY. April 23, 1937. WORK ON THE BLUFF WHARVES To The Editor

Sir,—l wish to make reference to a letter appearing in your paper on April 12 over the pen name of “Casual Worker.” The parts that appealed to me were his reference to injustice to non-union workers at the wharves and the invasion of sustenance men, armed with chits for employment by the Union Steam Ship Company and issued by the State Placement Department. A fortnight ago about 50 of these chits were issued for the Waimarino. On arrival at the entrance to the wharf the men were told by the stevedore, “All men with chits go on the ferry wharf,” but when they got there it was evident that the ship had not berthed. The stevedore then called for labour and as each man’s name was called from the sheet sent down by the Placement Bureau, his chit was handed in and he was employed. After all the names were recorded we were then informed that the boat was eight miles out, it might keep her busy to get in on the tide, and to stand by. This was correct, and at 10 o’clock they informed us we would not be wanted for that ship, but all would be paid the minimum of two hours and our train fare. Now, sir, shortly after 10 o’clock several of the outcasts were luckily picked up by Cf>"tain Hamilton for the Port Gisborne, while the less fortunates were streaming back to town in the train. All day that pay day there was a continual stream of men moving to and fro among the State Placement Bureau, the Union Steam Ship Company and the Government Inspector of Labour and Factories offices. Finally, late in the afternoon, the Union Company decided to pay the one hour only and no train fare. When are they going to pay the other hour? ' Now, sir, I would like to give your readers some information about the figures furnished by the State Placement Department for ten months which also appeared in your issue of April 12 under the heading of “Casual Employment.” What do we find? Auckland 1040, Gisborne 936, Wellington 1409, Invercargill 824, Timaru 736, Oarparu 673. You will notice these figures are hundreds ahead of other towns, because they are seaport centres, If the Invercargill Placement office can despatch 50 men to one boat like the Waimarino it does not need many boats to show 800 placements, so I take it for granted that Gisborne with 936 and the others, are getting these enormous figures on the chit system. A non-union man who has been on the railway shipping books at the Bluff for many years informs me that owing to this chit system he has paid as much as £1 in train fares and then did not get a job. I can honestly say that this placement system of casual labour is only a farce and is the greatest system of overlapping so far as water-side labour is concerned. For instance, I worked for the railway on a certain ship. It was Saturday. The same shipping company had another boat coming in on the Monday and the non-union workers on the ship were informed that they would be required back on Monday morning to finish it, and then would be transferred to the other boat. Naturally the men working at the ship’s side were employed by the railway under the same impression. However, when the 50 non-union men finished at 10 o’clock, although the other boat had not berthed, the men working received orders that another 50 men had been sent down to man No. 2 ship by the Placement Department to displace the 50 men that were already on the books. This was grand for the railway, too, as they got a double header as far as the railway fares were concerned. In conclusion I would like to know when these sort of tactics are going to cease and what protection these non-union men are going to receive from the Government Inspector of Labour or other union officials concerned, as a majority of these men belong to the General Labourers’ Union.—Yours, etc., CASUAL WORKER NO. 2. April 20, 1937. [When this letter was referred to Mr P. L. Hodge, manager of the Invercargill branch of the Union Steam Ship Company, he made the following statement: The men who received one hour’s pay only were given this money because they alleged they would have been employed by the Port Line from 9 a.m., whereas they were actually paid by the Port Line from 10 a.m. As these men suffered financially for one hour they were reimbursed by the Union Company. The non-union men who go to Bluff for employment have told the employers that they wish to go there as free agents and do not require chits or rail fares. In future, this wish of the men will be gratified. Mr J. A. Wesney, the Government placement officer for Invercargill, said he did not I wish to make any comment.]

LOCHIEL DOG TRIALS

To The Editor Sir, —The comments on the short pull (class 2) at the Lochiel Dog Trials were unfortunately given in error to your correspondent, and if you could see your way clear to publish the following correct comment all the dog men interested will be pleased: Mr Ryan’s dog Gyp—Hunted on right, ran out on good line, failed to stop at head. 41sec. Made nice steady pull in good line. Yarded at first attempt. Yard work good. Mr G. Watson’s Glyn—Cast on right, ran out on good line, set sheep before heading, then went on to make good head. Imin. Good lift allowed sheep to drift at start then made steady pull in good line. Let one sheep away twice. Good yard work. Yarded. Mr H. A. Robertson’s Sweep Junior. —Hunted on right, ran out in good line. Made a good head in Imin. Steady lift pulled in good line to thistles. Had trouble getting sheep out of thistles then pulled in good line to ring. Allowed sheep round pen once then made good yard at second attempt—Yours, etC ” S. J. IRWIN, Hon. Secretary, Lochiel Dog Club. April 23, 1937.