WORD FROM MINISTER AWAITED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 144, 21 June 1939, Page 8

WORD FROM MINISTER AWAITED

FUTURE OF WORKERS IN RAETIHI DEPUTATION READY TO GO TO WELLINGTON A deputation from Raetihi is ready to proceed to Wellington to wait on lhe Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, to urge the claims of the 150 men who will be thrown out of work in the district at lhe end of the week. However, no word has been received whether the Minister will receive the deputation. The Raetihi section of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, Raetihi Borough Council, Raetihi Chamber of Commerce, Waimarino County Council, and the Ohakune Borough Council and Chamber of Commerce are concerned regarding the welfare of the i men who will be out of employment ■when stumping work at Makaranui is finished. Representations have been made to Mr. Semple to have these men placed either on the Waimarino section of the Parapara highway, or in other PublicWorks in the district. Interviewed by telephone to-day, the Mayor of Raetihi, Dr. W. J. Feltham, stated that the Minister had already been appraised by letter of the urgent 1 need of finding suitable work. There .was an area of 700 acres of farm land I within easy reach of both Ohakune • and Raetihi, which could be improved : and on which a substantial number of the men could be employed. i It is understood that the survey for I improving the top section of the Parai para highway has been made, but not | finally approved by the Public Works i Department. If this work were started | it. would absorb many of the men who , would be within easy reach of their • homes in Raetihi. Most of the men originally were employed in the sawmilling industry, but as the bush was cut out they remained in the district and took up other work.