KAINGAROA CONDITIONS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 543, 29 May 1933, Page 6

KAINGAROA CONDITIONS

RELIEF WORKER.

(To the Editor) Sir, — As a relief worker please allow me to protest through your paper against sending married men out to the forestry camps at the wage offered. In the first place let me state that I have worked on the Kaingaroa Plains planting trees for the State and know what I am talkling about. It is'a job that only fit and strong young men can stand. The men generally have to walk about three to four miles before they start planting, then plant trees all day through rough scrub in all weathers carrying a bag of plants by a rope round the waist. It is so cold at times that they have to dig their plants out of ice. One does not need much imagination to.realise the conditions the men have to work under. The men have ■then to walk home, generally ' wet through, to a cold tent. Speaking of myself I was not fit for much but bed afterwards. Now sir, for a man with a wife and one child to try and live on 30/- per week is- an utter impossibility, paying rent say 15/- per week. Allowing say, 5/- for the husband and 10/- for- food and clothing the whole of the 30/- is absorbed. I can tell you that clothes and boots are a big item when tree planting. I hope those who are Sn comfortable positions and can go home to a warm fire and good cooked meals will take this -matter Mp and help their fellow men to be treated like human beings and not slaves: — I am, etc.,

Rotorua, May 27.