THE UNEMPLOYED

Hokitika Guardian, 30 November 1933, Page 4

THE UNEMPLOYED

DEMAND FOR STANDARD WAGES TRENCHANT CRITICISM OF BOARD (Per Press Association —Copyrights WAIROA, November 29. v i Recently, the relief workers employed at the Wniroa-Waikokopu railway refused to work, claiming the work was maintenance, and should be paid for at standard rates, and struck. The result was that the men concerned were refused further relief by the .Board.

At last night’s meeting of the AVai” roa Council, the Mayor (Mr Harker), referred to the position, claiming that the men had a perfectly legitimate complaint, and every local body in New Zealand should point out to the Government the unsatisfactory state of a Fairs so far as the Unemployment Board was concerned.

In a trenchant criticism of the Board’s action, Mr Harker stated that personally he believed the Government was forcing a revolution in the country by its actions towards tho unemployed. On his resolution, the following motion was carried unanimously by the Council‘‘That this Council voices strong disapproval of the attitude of the Government in forcing men to do maintenance work at unemployed rates, paid out of unemployed funds, as by carrying on this policy the Gocernment is depriving men of the pos„ sibility of earning a livelihood.” Cr Glengarry further moved that the Council Provide work for the men on strike, but this was withdrawn, it being most apparent that whilst taking no official action, the matter of assisting the men to earn sustenance could be attained to by the works committee.