WORK NOT WAMTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 56, 14 March 1944, Page 5

WORK NOT WAMTED

MANY OPPORTUNITIES OFFERED

YOUXG MAORIS ATTITUDE

"In these cases I submit that the department has exercisted the virtue of patience to the very limit, and we have used every endeavour to encourage the defendants to return to work," stated the District Manpower Officer (Mr J. McGlone), when addressing Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M, on cases relative to refusals by young Maori women and men to comply with instructions to help in essential work. Referring lo men employed, under the order Mr Mod lone, stated that it was not always fully appreciated that, these people, through manpower regulations.. lia<l reaped many advantages. "Their conditions were never better before and probably will not be better afterwards.'' added Mr McGlone. "They enjoy a minimum weekly wage, their wages cannot be reduced without manpower approval, neither can their services be dispensed with without permission. In a number of oilier ways they are safeguarded. "Yet," said the Manpower Officer, "it is worthy of comment that this particular type are never backward in detecting even the slightest departure from Hie regulations on the part of the employer. On the other hand, it it suits them, tlicy show a total disregard for the. obligations imposed in turn upon them." "Perhaps," commented Mr Paterson, "you would get somewhere if Social Security benefits were taken away from these people when they stayed away from work."