WORTHLESS CONTRACTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2257, 31 July 1908, Page 2

WORTHLESS CONTRACTS.

DREDGE-MASTERS FOR SOUTH AMERICA. THE TRUE POSITION. [Press Association.] WELLINGTON, July 30. The Hon. Jas. AlcGowan has forwarded to the Press Association a letter received by the Governor of die Dominion from the British Connilate at Puntas Arenas. Chili, respecting the position of New Zealanders who go out under contract as dredge-misters. These men have been induced to sign on contracts in New Zealand, the letter says, but while the contracts are perfectly good in the Dominion, they are worthless in Chili, and cannot lie legally enforced. The writer (Vice-Counsel) states that i short time ago three men from a particular firm, who had been dismissed without notice owing to the bad returns of the dredges, could not sue as their contracts had not been legalised, and, of course, the dredgeowners would not consent to legalisation when they wanted to get rid of their cent net men. The ViceConsul had to advise their taking vhat they could get. There were, the letter continued, at the present moment some 6ix or eight men brought out to Puntas Arenas, who had not received any. wages for more than three montlis, and were at present almost destitute, waiting for some, recognition which had been promised them. These facts were stated in order that His Exceleney might be in a position to stop these young men f going to that country for the following season, which begins in about four months’ time. The Vice-Consul states that at the present time the whole of the Chilian lawyers were making fun out of these contracts, which were continually being brought up in the Courts, and which were very galling for the British public living there.