JUGO-SLAVS IN THE NORTH

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 199, 11 May 1918, Page 9

JUGO-SLAVS IN THE NORTH

SHIRKING GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT STATEMENT BY MR. CULLEN By Telegrarh-Pro6s Association. tu , Auckland, May 10. The employment of Jugo-Slavs in (L----atS Tfl" MDS h r^ "y the attitude of tho mon themselves A statement making this fact apparent was made yesterday by Mr. dn CulTen Commissioner in dungs r.f the Jugo! Mavs organisation branch of tho Dofenco Department. , ". A f ? ir Percentage of Jugo-Slavs aro trying■to.shirk Government work, which J\ ln J°'„ of their registration they agreod to do," said Mr. Chilian. "Thev are resorting to medical certificates and to sohcitors interesting themselves on behalf of the men to get them out of going on to Government works. Many Jngo-Slays are leaving their former P' a °f. of residence without notifying me ot their changes of address, in spite of the fact that they wero warned not to do so. At present wo cannot find these men. A fair number have been employed by the Government on road and railway construction and drainage works, u-i- . ave been paicl tnc 6am s wa Kcs as British labourers. Presumably, therefore, tho remainder would bo employed on the same terms.

Thoro is no doubt that drastic measure* will be taken by the Government in connection with these shirkers," said the Commissioner. "Those "ailing to ro port for work, and failing good grounds for so doing, will be arrested and interned at an early date, '"'hey cannot leave the Dominion, m>d are bound to bo found and arrested if they do not voluntarily report themselves for work quickly. No notico will be taken by the Defence Department of medical certificates of unfitness to work being obtained by some of the Jugo-Slavs. Tho men will all have to be examined later by medical mon engaged by the Department. I have registered ovir 1700 Jugo-Slavs to date, but thero are still Home who have failed to register, despite advertisements calling on them to do so. Vhoso men also will undoubtedly be interned unless rhey soon register. .Tnttuii-ius from other sources elicited the information that a certain number of Jugo-Slavs rro exhibiting a spirit of resentment against the Government interfering with them in any way. Many are declared to bo really exploiting tho British population at present by demanding and obtaining exorbitant wages, and declining to give up such remunerative employment in order to go on to Government •■vorks. Some Jugo-Slavs aro roported to bo earning 255. a chain in drainage work under private employers, taking contracts over the heads of British competitors. They work long hours and can readily do more than a chain -a day. In a certain district several Jugo-SLivs are going about from farm to farm seeking employment in, order to avoid doing Government work. Farmers should bo warned that the engagement of tl'eso men after registration will not I* recognised by the Defence Department, and llioy -ire liable to too their services at any time. Tiie opinion is expressed that there can bo little doubt that tho upshot of the present position will bo that after tho war ihose .TugD-Slavs who havo endeavoured to shirk thoir duties will be gathered together by tho Government ••ml expatriated."