EXAGGERATED REPORTS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9319, 20 August 1908, Page 1

EXAGGERATED REPORTS

THE BROKEN RIVER TROUBLE. [Fjrom Odb Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, August 19. The member for Lyttelton asked the Minister of Public Works to-day i whether his attention had been directed to statements made by a southern paper as to the treatment of unemployed workers sent from Christchurch to Broken River, and whether he would cause searching inquiry to be made into these allegations, with a view to seeing who (if anyone) was to blame for the alleged condition of tilings, and also so as t<> prevent a similar condition of affairs taking place in the future? The Minister replied that the newspaper report referred to, though doubtless a clever journalistic effort* could not in any sense be regarded as a statement of the facts concerning the treatment of unemployed sent from Christchurch to work on railw.ay construction at Broken River. AH the necessary inquiry had- already been made, and proved that every effort was made to make the men as comfortable 1 as possible, and that they had very little reason for complaint. Men employed on railway construction work in jinidwinter in such a locality as Broken River must necessarily endure some hardship, and realising that the majority of the men referred to were quite unaccustomed to \the life, the Department made provision for them in several directions where, as a general practice, the men have to provide for themselves. The men who were genuinely desirous of obtaining employment are still at work and making fair wages. Those who preferred agitation and notoriety have returned to the greater comfort of town life.