RELIEF STRIKE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1932, Page 5

RELIEF STRIKE

IN HAWKE’S BAY OVER ACTION OF FOREMAN. (Pet Press Association — Copyright ) HASTINGS, September 20. Trie relief workers here are all on strike as trie result of trie foreman on a job dismissing nine of the men. The men refused to obey, an order to take off coats when they, were working- V ' j: . •! - Following this incident other conn plaints hajve' arisen. | The relief workers at a meeting to-cla-y, condemned the new scheme of relief work which was brought into operation this week, and they demanded the reinstatement of the old scli-eme a.t 12s fid per day, the full quota of work, sustenance for both the single and married men, and the abolition of the compulsory damps. All of the relief works were deckured black until the men’s demands were acceded to.

The Mayor, Mr G. F. Roach, attended the relief workers’ meeting later, and he Suggested that the dismissed men should go with him and face the foreman concerned (Mr McGill), but the meeting disapproved of the proposal, they demanding that- the foreman should be brought to the full meeting, to which proposal the Mayor declined to agree.

The men’s meeting was resumed this afternoon, and it was resolved not to accept work if Mr McGill is retained as foreman.

Arrangements were discussed for the extending of the strike to the outlying, districts, and also to Napier. It was decided to take a firm stand in refusing work until the demands are acceded to.

Following the strike, a special meeting of the local unemployment committee was held to-night. It was decided to invite the parties to the Beatson park dispute to meet the committee at a conference tomorrow. . ,

It was also decided to send a telegram to the Unemployment Commissioner expressing the committee’s sympathy with the men in their protest against the reduction in the rates of pay -and against the abandonment of the former scheme of employment.

GARDENING RELIEF SCHEME. COMPULSORY CLAUSES OPPOSED CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 20. “That, while this association; sympathises with the Unemployment Board in its efforts to ‘assist ,'fhe 'unemployed in the growing 0“ vegetables, it objects to the compulsory clauses in 1 the Act, and to the principle of permitting the growing of vegetables in public parka ” , *: The above motion waa passed at the meeting of the Christchurch Tomato and (Stone Fruit Growers’ Associa-, tion.

A letter was received from the council of the Canterbury Association of Workers, which drew the attention of the Association to the question of unemployed workers being provided with sections for the purpose of growing vegetables. The council of the Industrial Association asked for support in its protest against the introduction of such a scheme, contending that its effects wouH be grievously detrimental to those who were striving to earn a living by growing vegetables, and would in all probability increase the number of those who were dependent upon the relief offered 'by the uniemplloyment funds. In spite of the published assurance of the gardens allotment committee to the contrary, the council was firmly of the opinion that no amount of “strict supervision” would' prevent the possibility of these results.

Mr J. W. Ball expressed the opinion that the protest should be supported He pointed out that the unemployed allotment-holders would be competing on unfair terms with professional growers, who had to pay for their land and equipment. Mr H. Ruishworth drew attention to the fact that clauses in the Act authorising this scheme made it compulsory for the unemployed to take up allotm/ents where available. The motion set out above was moved by him as an amendment to a motion of Air Holland and carried.

TOWN AND COUNTRY RELIEF. MILLER TON, 'September 20. The unemployed at Millerton 'are making a strong protest against the new scheme for country districts, laid down by the Unemployment Board, as it is considered to he quite unfair to further lower the rate of remuneration for the work done.

CARTERTON, September 20;

A meeting of the unemployed men land business men decided unanimousily io protest against the differentiation in treatment of unemployed in cities and tlie country, and to assist on equal facilities being given to the country. The resolution was forwarded to the Minister, and the Board, by the Borough Council.