NEW ZEALANDERS DECEIVED

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 189, 31 July 1908, Page 2

NEW ZEALANDERS DECEIVED

INVALID CONTRACTS. UNFORTUNATE NEW ZEALANDERS IN CHILI.

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Hon. Mr. .McUowan lias handed to the Presß Association a letter received by the Governor of the Dominion from the British Consulate at Puntns Arenas, Chili, respecting the position of New Zenlandera who go out under contract as dredge : niasters. TheSe sign contracts in New Zealand, the letter says, but while the contracts ar\s perfectly good in the Dominion, they are worthless in Chili, and cannot be legally enforced. Tlw writer (the Vice-Consul) states that a abort time ago three men from a particidar firm, who had been dismissed without notice owing to the bad returns of the dredges, found they could not sue, as their contracts had not beon legalised, and of course the dredge-ownors would not consent to legislation when they wanted to get rid of their contract men. The Vice-Consul had to advisu their taking what they could get. There were he continued, at tlw present moment sonic six or eight mion,'. brought over to lMmtas Arenas who had not received any wages for threo months, and were at present almost destitute, waiting for some recognition which had been promised them. These facts were mentioned in order that his Excellency might be in a position to stop these young men going" to that country for the following season, which begins'in about four months' time. The Vice-Consul states thnt at the present tiino the wfoolc of the Chilian lawyers uvrc making fun of these contracts, ■•Melt were continually being brought up in the Courts, and'which were very pilling for the British public living there.