RELIEF MEN’S CONDITIONS

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1932, Page 9

RELIEF MEN’S CONDITIONS

REQUESTS TO THE COUNCIL

SHELTER DURING THE WINTER.

WAIVING OF ABATTOIR FEES.'

AGREEMENT TO ALLOW “SMOKO”

Six requests from the relief workers’ section of the New Plymouth General Labourers’ Union were sponsored by a deputation to the Borough Council last night. The council, which had on a previous occasion rejected them, acceded to some requests and rejected others. The requests and the council’s decisions were: — (1) That all borough mcr. be employed on the first five days -of the week, so that the men will not have to work on Saturdays. —Refused. (2) That the borough pay the men’s wages promptly so that they do not have to wait unnecessarily long. for their pay.—lt. was explained-that the complaint referred to an isolated instance and that the council always endeavoured to pay as promptly as possible. . (3) That the men be given a “smoko in the afternoon. —-Granted. . (4) That the men shall be paid standby time during "wet weather. —The council could not accede to the request, but it was left with the engineer to. confer with the foremen concerned- and ask them to stop the work for the day. in the event of ‘ the weather being so inclement that it was likely work could not be continued.

(5) That shelter sheds shall be .provided on all jobs, thus enabling the men to shelter in wet weather and to have their meals in reasonable comfort. — Wherever not less than I's men were concentrated for a reasonable period-in exposed positions shelter sheds would be provided. (6) That, the abattoir fees be remitted for stock killed for the relief workers ; this to apply to free meat or me.at bought by various organisations for distribution amongst relief workers. —Refused.

In accepting the deputation, which comprised Messrs B. Thorne, R. Fulton, C. N. Pryor and W. Hill, the Mayor said that from a perusal of the requests it appeared the council had dealt with them all previously. However, it would be pleased to consider any further informatioft regarding them.

MEN’S LARGEST MEETING.

Mr. Thorne said the report of the council’s rejection of the requests had been considered at ■ the largest meeting of the men yet held and they had asked that the council should again be approached. From the accounts in the newspapers it appeared that-the main reason for the rejections was the "expense that would be involved. He contended, however, that compliance with most of the points raised would not mean extra expense. They all realised the necessity of economy and they desired to maintain cordial relations with the council. A “smoko” in the after-, noon would not mean extra cost, and the principle local- bodies were allowing relief workers this period of recuperation; the men needed it. for in ■the main they were underfed and poorly clothed. Regarding the request for the remission of abattoir fees on meat consumed by relief ■ workers, Mr. Thorne pointed out that the Stratford Borough Council had granted this and he felt sure New Plymouth would -give the same concession. The aim of those responsible for the distribution was to make a small amount of money, go., as far as possible. Several carcases had been killed and distributed.

Mr. Fulton protested against the method of the council in dealing with tho complaints when they were previously before it. They objected, to the complaints being referred to the works committee and then rejected in a report to the council. He desired to thank Cr. Pentecost, who was the only councillor who had asked why the committee had refused the requests. But for him they would have been given u blunt refusal. “I also want to congratulate Cr. Anderson on his maiden speech and his remark that ‘they will want hot-water bottles next,’ ” ’ proceeded Mr. Fulton. “These remarks are strongly resented and were quite uncalled for.”

PRACTICE IN THE COUNTY.

He went on to refer to the fact that it had been left to Cr. Brown to ascertain the practice of the county council regarding a “smoko.” “Cr. Brown has

had a month to find out,” he said. ‘Tn case he has not found out yet I can inform him that the men working in the county have a ‘smoko’ in the afternoon.” As far as he knew, Mr. Fulton said, there was no request from unions or elsewhere for a “smoko” for council employees; they were asking for that privilege for the relief-workers only, men who were sorely in need of a rest in the afternoons. It would not cost the council a penny. Referring to the fourth request, Mr. Fulton said the men were asked by the foremen during rain showers to stand about under the • shelter of trees or hedges or hedges in the hope that the weather would clear so that they could resume. Then if it did not clear they were sent homo wet and without being paid for the remainder of the day. They were not complaining about being sent home in wet weather, but about standing about waiting.

Number 5 demand had been turned down by Cr. Brown, apparently on the ground of some little expense. “When it comes to a complaint about a little expense to give the relief workers some comfort it is economy gone mad,” declared Mr. Fulton. “I speak feelingly on this matter because men who are ill-' fed and ill-clothed have to sit under a hedge waiting for the rain to pass over. I hope the council will discuss the question in open meeting and tell the ratepayers its reason for refusing.” After referring to the action of the Stratford Borough Council, Mr. Fulton said several carcasses had been given at New Plymouth for the relief workers and the donors had had to pay 6s a carcase in abattoir fees. It was grossly unfair. The relief workers- had been killing and distributing tho meat themselves, but it still cost them 6s a beast. Cr. Brown had said the request for remission of fees had been turned down for the moment. That looked, said Mr. Fulton, as if the works committee had intended to discuss the matter with the butchers.' He did not know whether the conference had been held, but if ; it had he would like to know whether it was just a few selected butchers who wore invited to attend.

He urged- that the remission should be granted on the meat handled by “Welcome Lodge” and anyone else distributing meat for the relief of the unemployed. He could assure the council that any concession would go a long ■way towards alleviating suffering creating a better feeling and assisting the relief workers’ section to keep the unemployed in a. docile mood; things were not very easy in that respect at present. To Cr. Hill: He understood that at