UNREST IN HAMILTON

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18849, 20 January 1933, Page 9

UNREST IN HAMILTON

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Further to the letters that have already appeared in your columns re the above matter, I would ask your indulgence to prove definitely that the local certifying officer is indifferent to individual cases of hardship. I have been employed on relief work since May, 1932. Some six years ago I was treated for pneumonia, with pleuro complications. Since then I have had double pneumonia on four occasions, and in September, 1931, was an inmate of the Waikato Hospital under suspicion of tuberculosis. Naturally my lungs could be in better condition, but my heart is in the right place, and I am quite sound mentally. On Wednesday, January 11, I was transferred from the Borough Council to the Public Works Department Courthouse job. On Wednesday evening I applied to the clerk in charge of the relief office at the borough depot for a transfer (the ganger that I worked under on the borough was perfectly satisfied with my work, and asked me to endeavour to get retransferred to his gang). This application for my transfer was placed before the local Labour Office,. was granted, and I was notified of this on the Thursday. On Friday, at 1.30, the clerk at the relief depot received instructions from the Labour Office that my transfer was to be cancelled. My chief reason for applying for a transfer from the Courthouse job was that the work was too heavy for me. Now I publicly ask the certifying officer: (1) Why did he transfer me back from the borough to the Courthouse when my original council card was still in my possession? (2) He told me on Saturday morning last to procure a medical certificate and he would re-transfer me back to the council; Can he justify his action in refusing to look at the certificate, much less read it, when presented?—l am, etc., V. DRUMMOND. Hamilton, January 18, 1933.

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—As another relief worker I would like to uphold “Relief Worker’s” remarks about the rent strike, and I would like to say something for the certifying officer, who Is accused of discourtesy. What about the other side? I know that one member of the deputation lias said that lie was absolutely disgusted at the tactics of the leader of the deputation. The pointers and Communists do not speak for all the unemployed. Many of the reasonable element hold Mr Wilson in esteem as one who acts fair by all; and it is only right that this should be known.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY. Hamilton, January 18, 1933.