CO-OPERATIVE WORKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1569, 12 October 1912, Page 6

CO-OPERATIVE WORKS.

SYSTEM FREELY DISCUSSED. AND MOSTLY CONDEMNED. , Mr. J. V. BROWN (Napier) moved to introduce the Co-operative Workers on Public Works Bill. He said his Bill would provide for better housing for the men, and better and more secure terms of employment. Ho went on to discuss the general question of the stoppage of the construction works on the East Coast railway at Napier. Ho thought something should bo done to prevent the Minister for Public Works stopping work, which the country was willing to borrow money to have done, and throwing men out of employment. It was "a terrible state of things" that any one man should have power to stop a work for which the money had been authorised by Parliament. The people would not stand it. Tho Governniont should not penalise workers, but should support workers. Mr. G. FORBES (Hurunui) spoke also of co-operative works. Possibly the system might not be a perfect one, but the Minister should certainly investigate it for himself before passing a wholesale condemnation, of it. The fact that losses had been made was not necessarily the fault of the system, but rather of the administration of it. But as there was a difference of opinion as to whether the country was getting; value for money paid for work done under the co-operative system, it would be a wise thing to set up a commission of engineers to inquire into tho system, and to make recommendations on the subject. "Turning First Sods." Mr. G. V. PEARCE (Patea) thought the Governments of tho past had been much at fault for the manner in which they housed co-operative workers. He was glad the present Government had endeavoured to make them a little more comfortable. Speaking of the stoppage of the Napier line, he asked who started that work. Mr. Brown: Not the member for Patea. Mr. Pearce: No, I didn't. I objected to its being started. We all know that all over the country first sods were turned and works started when the Government knew that the Public Works Fund was depleted, and that they would have to pay five per cent, for their money. Ho proceeded to condemn roundly the cooperative system—a shamefully wasteful system for the country, and otten a very bad one for the men.

I Mr. W. D. S. MACDONALD (Bay of Plenty) said the men on the works wcro being subjected to a hardship in being I tnrned oft the works at this season. They had stayed at the works all the winter, and now in the summer, when they had a chance of making something, they were turned off. It was admitted that thero were abuses under this system when it was first established, but now all this had been done away with. In his opinion there was no better system for the classification, of unskilled labour. Ho pointed out again that these men, who had been just making enough money to'exist upon, should be kept on now when they have a chance of making something. It was utterly impossible- for men to save money in a wet winter. Strong Against Weak.Mr. H. G; ELL (Christchurch South) thought opponents of the system were too ready to blame the workors for the failure of the system, and they wanted everything done by contract'. Then there would be work only for the strongest for the contractor would employ the strongest and most lusty men in the market. The advantage of the co-operative system was that it gave on opportunity to the man who was not of the strongest, and if it were properly administered ho would not receive more than his just due. Mistakes had been made in the past by young engineers, too inexperienced to be entrusted .with the duty of measuring up tho work done.

Mr. P. H. SMITH. (Wnitaki) said he had had experience of good workmen who had been unable to earn more than 4s. 6d. per day because they had to work with weaker men. It was possible to ballot weak men out of a gang, but decent men would not do that. He believed in the small contract system. Under it the nien would know each other and they could USB what appliances they pleased. He had known a caso of a man who had taken a team of horses and a scoop on to tho works, and. he had not been allowed to use them because he was turning over too much stuff. Thirty years ago the methods of constructing earthworks were better than tho primitive pick and shovel methods in use to-dav. Dr. A. IC. NEWMAN (Wellington East) commented on- the curious rules of procedure which allowed of a debate on tho introduction of a Bill, and of anothor on the first reading. He hoped the rules would be amended. Wasteful and Unfair. The Hon. Vi. PHASER (Minister for Public Works) said he had not- proposed to speak on {lie methods in vogue of carrying on public works, because an opportunity would be gives to tho House to do this shortly, and no doubt full advantage would ho taken of the opportunity. Ho had never definitely condemned tile co-operative system, except in so far as it allowed good men to bo exploited for (lie !,enofH of inefficient and lazy men. There might bo tome virluij in it if the gangs formed themselves and were of equal strength, but although they were allowed to ballot weak-men out of a gang, tho inefficient men were usually in a minority. He did not blame th« engineers for tho unsatisfactory state of things. They could onlv do what they were instructed to do. He had many letters of complaint oven in the short period that ho had boon a Minister from men who lind suffered by this iniquitous system. Tho construction of (he Otago Central railway hnd been an excellent oxnmplo of how work ought not to bo dono. Referring to the stoppago of the Napior line, he said he had stopped tho work for one reason only—because he refused to continue a wasteful system of constructing public works. Ho would not agree to its being continued until the bridge across the harbour was built. He added that he had not stopped tho work I! Mr. 7 C. K. WILSON (Taumariimii) advised the Minister to reduco tho single men on the railway works, so that the up-country councils might get men to make their roads. These men should not all bo absorbed on the railway works in the summer, for road work could not lx> done in the winter. If earthworks on railways were curried on under a. small contract system thorp would bp nothing much wrong. But tho best men on the works were thoroughly dissatisfied with the system. It was unfair Hint Rnnd could because they, jv.wa.

compelled to work with inefficient mates, earn reasonably fair wages. A system which prevented good men from earning moro.lliim is. lid. per day in some instances was simply a scandal. Co-operative System Defended. The Hon. R. M'KENZIE (Motueka) paid that many of the members who had risen to discuss this question knew little or nothing about it. The member for TauMnrunui knew less about the co-opera-tive- system than a second or third standard schoolboy. Mr. Wilson had advocated discharging single men during the Hummer months. What tho member for Taumarunui wanted was cheap labour. Tho members on tho Government, side of the House had always condemned the system, and all the complaints about 'it came from them. No complaints came from the other side of the House, though Opposition members had just as good opportunities of observing the working of the system as thoso on the other side of the House. In many districts it would be impossible to carry on public works during the winter. What then was the use of saying that einglo men should be dismissed at the beginning of summer? As a matter of fact, from the inception of the eystem a large percentage of tho men always had left of their own accord at the beginning of summer. If the Government had any good reason for stopping works on the East Coast railway they had certainly not divulged it to the House. The reasons stated by. the Minister for Public Works would not hold water.

Mr. Wilson said, in peTSonnl explanation, that, lie wished to see the best possible wages paid. ' Mr. Brown having replied, the motion for leave to introduce the Bill was carried on . the voices. The Bill was read a first time at 4.10 p.m. WIDOWS' PENSIONS. Certain amendments to the Widows' Pensions Bill were introduced by Governor's Message. CEMETERIES. The Cemeteries Amendment Bill (the Hon. A. L. Herdman) was received from the legislative Council, and read a first time. LAND AGENTS. Mr. SPEAKER announced that he had received written notice from the Prime Minister that the Government had taken up the Land Agents' Registration Bill, standing in the name of Mr. G. Witty.