APPEAL FOR BREAD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 12 January 1931, Page 5

APPEAL FOR BREAD

DISMISSED WORKERS’ FAMILIES

STOPPAGE OF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION

(By Telegraph—Press Association)

GISBORNE, This Day

An urgent appeal from the Church Army officer at the railway camps for bread for the dismissed workers’ families was read at Holy Trinity Church yesterday, as a result of which 200 loaves were sent out this morning. Large meetings of workers at various camps passed resolutions protesting emphatically against the manner in which the Government closed the works after having given the Union an assurance that the men could have work to come back to after the Christmas vacation. The resolutions point to the extreme unfairness of bringing employees back to camp after a vacation only to receive notice of dismissal, and charactises the action as particularly callous, adding that approximately 2000 including dependents, are affected by the Government’s decision.

The Mayor of Gisborne states that he had an assurance from the Minister of Public Works before leaving Wellington that positions would be found for the men, some immediately and others as soon as opportunity offered. He undertook that men should not be left on the hands of the local unemployment board and charitable organisations.

The Gisborne railway delegation committee meets this week to organise further representations in anticipatation of the return of the Prime Minister.