PUBLIC WORKS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20496, 15 March 1932, Page 9

PUBLIC WORKS.

FIVE THOUSAND MEN JO BE DISMISSED. REMAINDER TO BE PLACED ON RELIEF BASIS. [From Our Paruamentart Reporter.} WELLINGTON, March 14. By the end of this week approximately 2000 men will be dismissed from the Public Works Department, as the first move in the drastic curtailment of Public Works employees under the Government's economy scheme. These dismissals will be accompanied by a proportionate reduction in the administrative staff. • ' The remainder of the dismissals made necessary through the curtailment of the Public Works expenditure from ./J0,542,000 to £1,234,000 will be carried out in easy stages. By the end of next month it is expected that another 3000 men will have been put off, making 5000 of the present total of 12,000 employees. It is hoped it wili be possible to keep tho remaining 7000 men in work, although they will have to accept reauced rates of pay, probably about £2 10s per week, or 8s per day, with shelter and the usual privileges. Generally work throughout the Department will be on a relief basis, the money being provided froia the unemployment funds, if possible. The Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates says that m giving work to men on Public Works preference will be given to married men, as it is recognised that there will be a certain amount of distress caused through the heavy curtailment of work. The reduction in the administrative staff is to be carried out on a proportionate basis, affecting executive officers as well as permanent hands.