MEN DISCHARGED

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 78, 23 November 1931, Page 4

MEN DISCHARGED

DEPUTATION WAITS UPON MEMBER FOR DISTRICT SCRUB BURNING AT MURUPARA A deputation representing 50 relief workers who were signed off by ihe Public Works Department at Murupara last week, waited upon the member for the district, Mr. C. k. Clinkard, M.P., on Saturday, with a request that he should make representations to provide them with dlternative emjDloymerit. The men havb been engaged itt scrub clearing on the Galatea estate, hut owihg to the fact that^the owner, Mr. H. E. Troutbeck has objected to scrub burning being carried out until the property passes into the hands of the Government, it has been found neeessary to discontinue the work. It is understood that Mr. Troutbeck has objected on the grounds that the burnt scrub is likely to have serious effeets in discolouring the wool of the sheep at present

runnmg on the estate. . The majority of the men are married and before being brought to Murupara, were eniployed oh the Gisborne railway. It was stated by the deputation that many of the workers were not in a position to pay for their trarisport back to Gisborne, aftd assistance in this direCtion was also sought. It is anticipated that a further 48 men Will probably be discharged this Wfeek and strong represfentatio'ns were made by the deputation that something should be done to provide thefn with other employment; After hearing the deputation^ Mr. Clinkard referred the matter to the Minister of Lands, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, before his departure from Rotorua, and the Minister undertook to go into the matter with the Minister of Public Works, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, uhdet* wKose department the present Work .at Galatea is being cafried out. Suhsequeiitly,- Mr. Ransom conferred with the -district Public Works Ehgineer, Mr. F. L; Park, and discussed with hims alternative works on Vhicli the iheh might bfe £l£t£ed.