FORESTRY CAMP AT CUST TO BE CLOSED.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18946, 17 December 1929, Page 11

FORESTRY CAMP AT CUST TO BE CLOSED.

MEN ARE GIVEN AN EXTRA WEEK S WORK. As a result of representations made to the Hon W. B. Taverner, Commissioner of State Forests, by the Mayor (the Rev J. K. Archer) and Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., arrangements have been made to continue the eraplovment of the relief workers at the forestry plantations at Cust until Christmas week, pending consideration of the question of whether tljsir services are to be retained for a longer period. There are over one hundred men at the camp, and as rumours were rife to the effect that the work was to be closed down immediately, they telegraphed to the Mayor and to Mr Sullivan, asking them to communicate with the Minister on their behalf. Both the Mayor and Mr Sullivan communicated with Mr Taverner, forwarding the message received from the men, and asking whether it would be possible to continue the work until Christmas week, and to take into consideration the question of finding further employment for the men. A reply has now been received from the Minister, agreeing to continue the employment of the men until Christmas. The Minister points out that forestry work is of a seasonal nature only, but states that a meeting of the special committee of Cabinet set up to deal with unemployment will be held on Thursday, when consideration will be given to the question of providing further work for these men.