REFUSE REMOVAL

Evening Star, Issue 22444, 15 September 1936, Page 5

REFUSE REMOVAL

REDUCTION IN SERVICES EFFECTS OF FORTY-HOUR WEEK The reduction in the refuse removal services was discussed at the City Council meeting last night, it being stated that this was a temporary measure, as the result of the introduction of the 40-hour week, but that, if the council were prepared to agree to the extra finance, the old service could be restored. In speaking to the Works Committee report, Cr Mitchell said that he had been informed that residents in High street who used to have their reluso collected four times a week only had one collection now. The mayor (Rev. E. T. Cox) asked why they required more than one collection when the rest of the community had only one. Cr Shepherd said that there were many flats in the city, and residents in them did not have the opportunity of disposing of their rubbish other than by the collection. He sympathised with those who complained of the loss of at least one collection of refuse a week. What was the reason for cutting out the clearance of this rubbish? Me was told it was because of the 40-hour week and of the increased rate of pay. Surely the 40-hour week had been brought in, not to curtail labour, but to increase it? If it were necessary to have two clearances a week in the city area they should still do so. Cr Silverstone said lie hoped Cr Shepherd would give his support when they brought forward the proposal regarding an increase of labour, which would mean an increase in the general rates, Cr M'Millan expressed the opinion that the council would ho well advised to provide all citizens with regulation rubbish tins, and then enforce the use of proper tins with lids on. All sorts of tins were used at present, and open tins attracted the flies and were responsible for a lot of the ill-health in the city. The Mayor: The danger would he that some would use their tins for milk cans. (Laughter.) Cr Bcgg, in reply, said that, as pointed out by the chairman of the Finance Committee, if councillors would agree to the extra finance, they hoped to he able to restore the old service, or, if necessary, to supply four collections fo certain parts of the city. The present was hut a temporary measure, and they were waiting to see how it worked out.