TO THE COUNTRY FOR WORK

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1929, Page 7

TO THE COUNTRY FOR WORK

ROAD FORMATION OFFERED. DEPARTURE OF THE UNEMPLOYED. A group of unemployed waited by a lorry piled with sacks and distressed handbags, outside the Taranaki County Council’s chambers in New - Plymouth yesterday at one o’clock. Work had been offered to 25 men on roads in the Taranaki district by the Public Works Department. “We sent out notices to 38 men on our list of unemployed,” said Mr. G. R. A. Whiting, head of the New Plymouth branch of the Department of Labour. “Only eight replied to the communication ; and five of those refused to take the work when they found what it was. Of the others who called at the office in the usual way in the morning, 29 had declined the work. .We ended up six short of. the number required.” The little knot of amused officials, and stray members of the public had waited 20 minutes and still the charms of <a near-by building ..held, the men prisoners. .“Tell them the lorry leaves in five minutes,”' said Mr. Whiting. Soon afterwards they drifted up the street. The steady half-dozen were already on board the lorry, but the . others showed no keen anxiety ,to leave. Two or three chatted amiably with the bystanders and. one sang,.“Good-bye love, good-bye,” to Mr. Whiting. Then one by one ,they hauled themselves on board. The lorry moved off with the singer perched precariously on the edge.