Relief Workers Must “Play the Game"

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7277, 3 October 1933, Page 3

Relief Workers Must “Play the Game"

SMALL SECTION- AT FEILBINCv CAUSE TROUBLE.

In consequence of their attitude while engaged on relief work under the control of the Oroua County Council, certain relief workers were recently stood down in Feilding. The position was reported to the Unemployment Committee and was later taken up by the chairman of the Oroua Couuty Council (Cr. A. Campbell), who agreed to meet the men concerned. At this interview it was made plain to the men that a. fair day’s work was expected of them otherwise they would be stood down. The men accepted Cr. Campbell’s statement and were permitted to resumo relief work on the understanding that there was no further trouble. Ou Friday last Cr. Campbell in company with the county engineer (Mr. E. L. Harding) visited the men at their work and found that they were making a more definite effort on the task set them.

Discussing the position, Cr. Campbell said that it was made plain to the men that he was not going to sec public money frittered away on men who would not be reasonable. As a member of the Unemployment Committee which had charge of the administration of the relief funds in this district, he was in duty bound to see that those funds were properly dealt with. Members of the committee were really trustees of the funds and had to satisfy the public that their administration was in strict accordance with the regulations. It was up to the men to “play the game” and to realise that the committee had every sympathy with their lot, but would not tolerate a position where the work allotted was deliberately neglected. Cr. Campbell was pleased to note that there had been an improvement in the work done by the men concerned and he hoped that this would be fully maintained in their own interests.