MEN OUT OF JOBS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 143, 20 June 1939, Page 8

MEN OUT OF JOBS

GOVERNMENT ‘DILATORY” CONTINUOUS WORK WANTED | PROTESTS TO MR. SAVAGE i

L Per Press X^ociavion.] WELLINGTON, June 19. The Raetihi section of the New Zealand Workers’ Union has forwarded to Mr. Savage a protest against "the dilatory methods of departmental officials and the Government in providing a continuation of work for 150 men in the district.” A resolution to this effect was passed at a meeting of the Raetihi section, to which the Ohakune section sent delegates.

The letter to Mr. Savage draws attention to the termination a month ago of a metalling job employing mostly single men, since when the single men have been without work. Stumping work at Makaranui, on which mostly married men are employed, is stated to be finishing shortly, and 20 of the married men have been offered work on a metalling job where only single accommodation is available. Complaint is made of a lack of cooperation between the Public Works Department and the workers, and it is alleged that Ohakune workers were told there were 100 families too many in the district. Mr. Savage is asked whether this is in accord with fhe Government's statements that men from country districts should not go to the cities to obtain work. It is stated that there are already a considerable number of single men unemployed in the district and that he numbers will be more than doubled this week and seemed probable that a very large number of married men will be in the same predicament shortly.

Mr. Savage’s Comment. “I have not seen the statement yet, and consequently can make no comment,” said Mr.. Savage, when the protest from the Raetihi workers was referred to him. “I notice that it is dated June 17, which is a Saturday. This is a new and curious method for a labour organisation to state its grievances. 1 can hardly imagine that the head office of the New Zealand Workers’ Union will agree with this method of approach.”