FOR THE SAKE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

Shannon News, 10 August 1928, Page 3

FOR THE SAKE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

■■•a' . RELIEF FOR FLAXWORKERS' DEPENDANTS. HOSPITAL BOARD DISCUSSES MILL EMPLOYEES' POSITION. At yesterday's meeting of the Palmerston North Hospital Board, Mr. J. K Hornblow, of Foxton, raised'the question of eharitable aid to the dependants tion of flax-mill hands at present out of work owing to the dead-lock existing between the mill employees and tho owners.

Mr. Hornblow stressed the serious nature of the position, and stated that lie had received numerous requests for assistance from distressed families. "What is this Board to do," said Mr Hornblow. "There is work in Foxton but the men cannot take it. The millOAvners are prepared to start tho mills provided the men take a reduction of 10 per cent in wages on the aAvard rates, I do no'i.'wish to bring a political issue into this meeting but it concerns this Board. When the award was made, the Avages -were fixed on what was considered a fair market price for hemp. But now the price has gone down so far that it was impossible for the mill-OAvncts to pay these award wages. rt^f-Jili: No Less Than Award, Even so, the OAvncrs Avere prepared to take the risk and start the .mills going in order to keep their plant from deteriorating and so on. They are prepared to do this and offer a Avage of 13s <id a day but the employee's union will not allow them to accept anything less than the award rate; '' Now these men can get 12s 6d a day on Government relief work and 10s a day for casual job 3. . Many of them are 1 prepared to Avork for 13s 6d but the Unions says that they are not to accept it. Is this Board'to give theso people charitable relief—men willing to Avork, but who cannot do so? What can we do? We cannot turn they away yet there is work for them at 13s 6d"a day, one shilling more than, on Government relief work.

The other day Mr Coates said: "Go to the Charitable Aid Boards, go to the Hospital Boards." That is what they are going to do." The Troubles of the Fathers.

"We cannot visit the sins—or the troubles—of the fathers upon the children,, Mr. HornbloAV," said Sir James Wilson chairman of the Board. "The English railways have had to face the same position j the owners had to make a reduction in wages and the employees "met under Mr. Thomas and accepted the terms.

'lt is a very sad thing that there should be such distress in the district. The children must be considered—we must feed tfiem and for that, this relief is necessary." The managing secretary of the Board Mr. A. J. Phillipps pointed out that the Charitable Aid Officer, Mr. F. Aisher at present worked on the policy of not helping any able bodied man who was out of work. If the Board assisted the flax-millers it would mean that it would be departing from its policy. Use the Fighting Fund.

'' The flax-mill employees Union dominates the position," said Mr. HornWoav. If we give out that we cannot refuse assistance, Ave will help the Union to maintain, that position; but we cannot refuse asistance.

"I do not think it is right that other people should be called upon to support the children while the Union stores up money for its "fighting fund" as they call it. Let them use that money to help the women and children," said Mr. M. A. Moody.

The discussion rested with the chairmain's assurance that for the sake of the Avomen and children charitable aid would be extended, the Boajrd confirming, Mr Hornblow's action in extending relief to two cases of distress.