OH! PARADISE

NZ Truth, Issue 1195, 25 October 1928, Page 7

OH! PARADISE

' How Relief Workers Are Served

(.(From "N.Z. Truth's" Dunedin Rep.) t The relief works at the Forestry \ Department's Blue: Mountains* \ (Otago) plantations will be a , standing memory to the miseries j and privations of many workers if , the stories of the discouraged toil-

ers are to be believed. j * 4 M Z. TRUTH" has> no reason to I doubt the, veracity of the men ) who have brought Information into i the Dunedin office. They have tasted ' the bitter cup of lmpocuniosity and ) unemployment, and they have tried I this last resort to keep house and j home together. Now the question is raised as to 'whether, or not the Government has a i charge to answer. It is the opinion of a number of these men who have rei turned from the Blue Mountains camps ithat they have been the victims of j cold-blooded exploitation on part of i the authorities.

1 A worker's story tells of meagre j wages earned and the vile appointIments m camp accommodation. In support of this man's complaints, la number of ex-relief workers from the ißlue Mountains No. 2 .Camp have called at, "Truth's" Dunedin branch and given their versions of what they had to contend with under the regime of "relief" employment at 9/- a day for single men and 12/-- married.

In view of the tree-planting season drawing to a close; it would be useless to demand that conditions' at the Blue Mountains be immediately rectified. But m publishing a condensed reportupon the information handed to this journal, it is hoped that ere another winter comes — and it may be equally as "hard"— the Forestry Department will have cleaned, up its house, and refuse to be the puppet for the maladministration of a confused Government.

If nothing is done the hopeless experiences) of these Blue Mountains campers must stand out as a warning to other unfortunates who find themselves down on their luck.

Muddy roads, long tramps, wet •clothes and heavy packs is the story • which comes from these men.

Draughty and comfortless quarters, Ho social appointments and totally inadequate sanitation arrangements add to its gloomy aspect.

Meagre wages, depleted' by inclement weather conditions, complete a picture of utter misery and hopelessness. One Instance of such was brought to "Truth" office. For. work dui'ing. two weeks, the bearer received the handsome sum of £2 10s. 7d., and from that £2 3s. lOd. was deducted, for meals. ■What a reward lor honest toil and back-country privations!

Verily, might our overseas prbpaigandists ' pronounce our isles "The lyVorkiog Man's .Paradise J'?