RELIEF WORKERS STRIKE.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19091, 25 January 1932, Page 6

RELIEF WORKERS STRIKE.

ANOTHER IDLE DAY AT HUTT. fey Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON. January 23. No men at all were on the Lower Hutt relief works again to-day. It is stated that about 20 approached the yard this morning with the evident intention of seeking work, but were met by others and persuaded otherwise. The position in Petone is not clear, as both yesterday and to-day were off days on relief works, but the Mayor stated to-day as far as lie knows the Petone men are not involved, and as under present circumstances the men will riot be asked to go to Eastbourne, already declared "black,” he does not anticipate any cessation of work by PetOrie iflefl; A nieetiilg of Lower Hutt relief workers was held this morning, When according' to ari official statement issued, delegates from Eastbourne and Petone were incorporated in the Lower Hutt executive. Delegates were appointed to place the Lower HUtt position before a mass meeting of Wellington unemployed on Tuesday night. A resolution was passed protesting against the local branch of the Red Cross selling donated garments, and demanding revision of its policy. Mr J. Sandford, representative of the Dominion organisation of unemployed workers’ movement, addressed the gathering, and promised the support of the organisation throughout New Zealand. Organising Food Supplies; A Provision Committee was set up to collect provisions, and later reported a good response, as did also a cash collection committee which had been canvassing business people. Mr Sergent. wild Supplied this report, said business people received collectors with Sympathy. The sum of £4 was collected at the meeting and utilised for immediate needs of necessitous cases. Ah offer of a conveyance for carrying provisions was accepted, as also was an offer of an empty bakehouse, the organisation hoping to be able to do its own baking. Mr SCrgent stated that the meeting was most, enthusiastic, and proceedings closed with the singing of the "Red Flag." Married Men Want Work. The decision to knock off work is not pleasing to any of the men, a reporter Was told. The decision was reached on an aye or no vote, and had a ballot been taken the result would have been quite different. To a great extent, it was stated, married men had themselves to blame for allowing the position to develop. The majority of married men wanted to carry on. PINPRICKING ALLEGED. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, January 23. In connection with the unemployed strike at Hutt Valley, Mr J. Roberts : (.Secretary of the Alliance of Labour) ! said to-day that the Alliance must be opposed to men being paid too late to get food for Sunday. “The men we met seemed very reasonable,” he said. 1 “We are quite willing to adopt any : reasonable attitude. Two spokesmen ; were appointed on the job. The butchers’ shops were closed on Saturday and the men wanted to know if ' they could receive their money in time to buy the week’s goods. The answer |we received was that they would ! get their money when they got ! it. I think that is unreasonable. ! Public bodies who are getting their work done cheaply out of public money subscribed by the citizens of the Dominion should show sympathy towards the unemployed. There is no necessity for pinpricking or anything of that kind.”