WORKERS’ REQUEST

Hokitika Guardian, 19 January 1929, Page 6

WORKERS’ REQUEST

TO MINISTERS. PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS. (By Telegraph--Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 18. The conditions under which the employees of the Public Works Department ai;e working were discussed with tlija Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) and Minister of Public Works (Hon. E. A. Ransom) to-day by a deputation representing the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Mr R. Semple, M.P. introduced the deputation, and explained that the speakers represented workers throughout the Dominion. It was the opinion of the workers there should: be no proprietary contracts on public works, but that the men should be permitted to do their work themselves. The workers were anxious that the public works should be carried on as expeditiously as possible, and with a minimum of friction. Mr J. B. Williams suggested that Departmental officers should bo sent to visit the works in progress in the North Island, and see the conditions under which, the men were working. There was a certain amount of laxity on the jobs ,and it was felt that it was on' the side of the Public Works Department officials. The District Engineers were not keeping to the prices which had been agreed upon. Messrs J. Ryan and J. Roberts also spoke on behalf of the men. In replying to the deputation, the Prime Minister said that the Government was anxious to. see contentment in the ranks of all workers, directly or indirectly engaged by the Government in the prosecution of the various works He felt, however, that it would he wrong for him to attempt to give a full reply to the various matters which had been represented to him, hut lie would take an early opportunity of doing that through the Minister of Pulilie Works. All the points raised by the various speakrs would he fully inquired into. Sir Joseph Ward said that reference had been made to the Rotorua-Taupo line, and a question had been asked as to whether it was pro|K>sed to complete this line. It was, lie said, the intention of the Ministers interested in the matter to make a visit to the locality as soon as they were aide to get awav from Wellington. It had been already arranged that the Minister of Public Works and the Minister of Lands were to visit Gisborne on railway matters, and they would later go to Rotorua Strong representations Jind been made to him against the prosecution of the Rotonia-Taupo line, but .as yet, he was not in a position to judge what was the best course. The whole question was whether it was likely that this railway would make a reasonable return for the amount expended on it. Jt was possible that it would not be considered advisable to carry the railway right down to Taupo. A number of railways had been laid down in New Zealand, said the Prime Minister, without a< great deal of consideration, and they had to guard against these mistakes in future. He hoped to be able to reach a definite decision within the next fortnight. So far as the co-operative contracts were concerned, Sir Joseph Ward said that there was no intention on the part of the Government to abolish that •system. He was one of the Ministers originally responsible for bringing in the system and be well remembered the anu.se that was levelled at the then Government over the matter. He had supported the system, and he still supported it, hut it was possible, in certain cases, in order to expedite work that they would have to call for tenders. However, if the Department was sitiisfied that a work could be carried out by co-operative contract, there was no earthly reason why that should not bo done. Sir Joseph Ward said that the depu tation could take it from him that the relief system of employment would be done away with. He had made an announcement to that effect in the blouse, and instructions have been issued that standard wages were to be paid on all the public works jobs. The contributions to the local bodies were also made on the basis of standard wages. Mr R. McKean, M.P.: “The local bodies are not adhering to that.” Sir Joseph Ward'.: “Then it lies itt the hands of the ratepayers. They •should put them, out.” (Laughter). Mr McKean: It arises from a misunderstanding of your announcement.” Sir Joseph Ward: “Oh, well, if they are 'blaming me, 1 suppose it can’t lie helped J We’ve got to expect that.”