BRITISH BUILDERS WANT TO GO HOME

Chronicle (Levin), 16 January 1947, Page 7

BRITISH BUILDERS WANT TO GO HOME

SHORT OF DRINKS, SMOKES AND LUNCHES Received "WedncsUay, 10.5 p.m. CANBERRA, Jan. 15. About 30 of the 200 British buildiug workers who arrived recently have announced that they are quitting' Canberra as soon as the.y draw their iirst pay. Soine of the inen have already stated that they are returning to England as soon as they Can make eliough money to aceumulate their fares. They do not like Australian drinking hours, the shortage of cigarettes and tobacco, the strong Australian sunlight, the difficulty of Australian bricklaying, Australian hardwoods which lacerate their hands and the lunch of two dried sandwic-hes with which tlioy were provided yesterday. Those who eomplain are, however, in the minority. An earlier message stated that British builder migrants who began workyesterday are apparently quickly learning the Australian way of life. Last night they held a meeting to discuss grievances about camp conditions, the shortage of tobacco, and the absence of a wet canteen. Alost of the men are employed on Government houses scattered throughout Canberra, anxi sonie are in brickyards. A minority, who are housed in an uncompleted seetion of a camp, say bitterly that their living conditions are too reminiseent of arniy days. Others object to having to keep their own cutlery and vvash it after meals. The majority appear satisfied with the work. During the hrst day some bricklayers found they could not keep pace with the Australians because they were out of practice, and carpenters had trouble in handliug Australian hardwoods. Government oflficials are considering the men's complaints, most of whieH they cojisider arise from circunistances which are uuavoidable in the early stages of such an experimental project,.