RELIEF WORKERS

Wairarapa Daily Times, 14 June 1933, Page 5

RELIEF WORKERS

MASTERTON DEMONSTRATION. COUNTY COUNCIL’S DECISION. The County Council’s reply to the men’s representations Avas conveyed yesterday afternoon to a. deputation consisting of Messrs Iv. Judd and W. Seed. As to the matter of Avorking on Avet days, the Council decided that a deputation from the Council Avould wait on the Unemployment Board, requesting that in the event of any day being declared wet by the County officials, the men should be paid for that day Avitliout having to make up the time lost, provided that the men reported at the County Yard at 7.15 a.m., and stood by for an hour. On behalf of farm relief Avorkers, the same representations Avill be made to the board, the conditions in this case being that the Avorkers concerned must report by telephone to the farmers by Avhom they Avere engaged. If the farmer has no telephone, the Avorker must report to the County Council. The Council also decided to arrange for suitable tops to be placed, as soon as possible, over the motor lorries used for conveying relief Avorkers to the jobs. Touching on the question of cycling, the Council decided that where a relief worker had to eycl6 to Avork for a distance of more than three miles, the farmer AA’as to be requested to alloAV travelling time one Avay: It Avas resolved that the present method of paying the men should be adhered to, i.e., men Avorking under Scheme No. 5 (road works) should be paid on Friday afternoons in each Aveek, and farm AA r orkors on Saturday mornings. Regarding starting and travelling time, the Council decided that the men must be in the County Yard not later than 7.15 a.m., in order to take advantage of the County transport. In cases Avhere the Avork is not at a greater distance than six miles from the County Yard, the men will be expected to do eight hours on the job. When the Avork is at any distance beyond six miles, any extra travelling time Avill be done in the Council’s time, both Avays. It aa’us pointed out to the deputation that the conditions under Avhieh the County Avas AA’orking Avere \ 7 ery difficult, OAA’ing to transport, and to some of the jobs not being handy to Masterton. The Council Avas, hoAvevcr, prepared to co-operate with the men as far as possible. It Avas definitely stated by councillors that if the men Avere not- prepared to accept the conditions as laid doAvn, they Avould consider closing doAvn on the No. 5 ‘Scheme insofar as road Avorlcs Avere concerned. The deputation expressed itself as Avell pleased Avitli the Council’s replies, and thanked councillors for their sympathetic hearing. A further meeting of the men AA-as held in the afternoon, Avliicli Avas attended by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, and Mr G. R. Sykes, M.P.. Tire deputation to the Hospital Board did not take place.