FORESTRY WORKERS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 252, 15 June 1932, Page 4

FORESTRY WORKERS

On the facts presentecl to Mr. Clinkard, M.P., by the deputation from the Rotorua Relief Workers' Association which waited upon him , on Monday evening, there is every ground for the workers' contention that some provision in the way of suitable working clothing and boots I should be made for the single f men who are being sent to the | forestry plantations to work during the planting season. This is properly a matter to be brought before the authorities by those with a knowledge of local conditions, and now that has been done, it remains to be seen what reception it will be given by official quarters in Wellington. The member for the I distriet, who has himself considerable knowledge of forestry work, obviously appreciated the | position and lost no time in making the necessary representations to the Minister of Employment. Residents of the distriet will need no reminder of the rigour of the Rotorua climate during the winter months, and this is further accentuated under the conditions for forestry planting.

The men, in, the mqjority 'of cases, are working on the higher ; levels and the nature of the work renders it essential that they ' should be warmly clad. Men who have been out of work for varying 'periods, subsisting from hand to mouth on the pittance which is the single relief workers' wage, cannot reasonably be expected to undertake any expenditure upon clothes. In the great majority of cases they are compelled to do the best they can with the clothes which have survived from more prosperous times, and while it may never be too late to mend, clothes will not last forever. Very many men on relief are now reaching j the stage where replacements i of clothing are essential, and it is here that the theory of a bare subsistence wage must impose severe hardship. Where men are working under the more congenial conditions in the towns they may perhaps worry along, but men who are asked to work under the conditions in the forestry camps must he suitably equipped. With every realisation of the manifold and increasing calls made upon the unemployment funds, this is undoubtedly an instance where immediate assistance should be given. The position has been placed definitely before the authorities, and it will be interesting to observe the attitude which they adopt.'