WORK AT OLD MEN'S HOME

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 28, 27 October 1937, Page 4

WORK AT OLD MEN'S HOME

Union Secretary Visits H.B. Institution COMMITTEE OBJECTS The visit of a union eecretary to an old men's home, as a result of whicn comptaints were made regarding work done by the inmates of the institution, resulted in objections being voiced by members of the Park Islanil Joint Committee at its meeting to-day, when it was deeided to write to the Minister oi Health, reporting the union secretary 's visit and asking him whether such action was justifiable. "It is carrying unionism too far," was the comment of oue member, . while other members of ihe eonnnittee held that there was no right for such interference on the part of the union. Mr L. Stein mentioned that the faci. that men at the Dannevirke home had been doing a certain amount of work had cau'sea concern to the Labour Department. Mr A. E. Bedford, who presided, oxplained that the men were free to follow what would be the natnral inqlinations of men who had been industrious all their lives to do a little work when they felt like it. "I hear 'that a union secretary has visited the home at Dannevirke aud . catechised the men. I rather object to this action/' said Mr Bedford. Interference of such nature at old men 'c homes wns deplored by Mr W. H. Rathbone, who said that many of the inmates were physically fit and liked, for recreation, a little work to flU in time. Thj^s work was done of their own free will and was not compulsory, but what they did certainly merited a little recompense. "Should we not make an objectiou to tlie Minister of Health about the action that the union secretary has taken, although I do not think any liarm will come of it?" asked Mr Rathbone. "They have no right to interfere," said Mr R. W, Wallace, "It is carrying unionism too far," Mr Rathbone then moved that the chairman and the managing secretary should be empowered to report the union secretary 's visit to the Minister of Health, asking him for an expression of his feejings as to whether it was justifiable for tliese seeretaries /o enter the homes and try to upset the inmates, this being carried unanimously.