STRATFORD CO-OPERATIVE WORKS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 103, 28 May 1909, Page 4

STRATFORD CO-OPERATIVE WORKS.

A SEMOCS COMPLAINT. A contributor to the Wellington Dominion makes the following complaint (which should bis promptly investigated) regarding the treatment of men in connection with the Stratford co-operative works:

Numbers ot men were for some weeks' sent out of Wellington and almost every town in the southern part of the North Island to the Stratford-Ongaruhe line, now in course t*f construction. These men were, in almost every* instance, penniless. The Government advanced the railway fares, and to secure accommodation they had to give orders on their first pay. On arrival at the works I hey had to sign more orders up to £3 respectively to the storekeepers and boardinghouse-kcepers. Board costs 10s per week. A man would, therefore, be very fortunafe if at the end of the month's work hj« could clear himself. There are some seven" hundred men 011 this line. For the last few weeks a certain number liave been "sacked" every week. Men who have Just come from Wellington and have had u fortnight or ten dajfflfc'jpork are suddenly informed that they are wanted no longer. In many cases tlns'e men have gone to the <>xpense of providing a camping outfit, and they have had no chance whatever of clearing oil th c "dead horse"' fhey have incurred under the imprest*ion that they would at least have work to last them for th<» winter. A gang is at worlf when one of the innumerable officials of the system, an overseer (»r "*1 inn-keeper or some other dignitary' com.es along and reads out ten or a dozen names. He condoles -with these individuals, but informs' them they must go into Stratford in the morning, where thev will be paid of}'. Stratford is some thirty miles distant. The men have to hump their swags some ten miles. Then, ii they have luck, they may catch a ballast train for Iluiroa, the present terminus. Otherwise they must traverse an additional six or seven miles. Once at TTuiroa thev must demand their fare to Stratford, and this, of course, is carefully deducted from wages due.

On arrival in Stratford, usually a Friday. they are told that they cannot be paid until {he following Monday. Thus, even if they have a few shillings coining they are expended by the time the men are paid. Several »f the 111'en thus .treated recently were aWolutely stranded in Stratford, and demanded their fares to Wellington irom "TBe Charitable Aid Board.

Tlk- meii wlio liavo none tltroiiirli fins ordeal Jlit- naturafly c>ik|n:rii!why they vcre sent tn tlie works at fill, i'f tlie'y are gtmi no, elc.uiee to make anything, ilicy lyoukl im'for 'to remain in tlio city and await their opportunity. Wore a privnh' pinploypr to ilisppnse with the services of lite employes ho would at least lie obliged to «pav tlio men off at once or tlicy could claim compensation Jor tlm time lost. Mon< sent from the towns have for thc last few weeks l.ecn sent hack considerably in debt. Tt is no question of unsuilahilitv for the work ;,r|l selected imlisci'iminatelv with the exception I hat married men have the preference.