RELIEF WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 22 October 1929, Page 1

RELIEF WORKS

REQUESTS TO MINISTER. AUCKLAND, Oct. 19. “ Whatever unemployment relief ork is being done by the Government ; necessary work, and must be done aoner or later,» said Mr R. F. Barter, presenting a deputation from the Vades and Labour Council, which waitd to-day upon the Hon. M.r Ransom, linister for Public Works, to urge pon him that skilled tradesmeh erailoyed on relief work should be paid ull trade union rates. “We also ask the Government to rive every opportunity for lelicf woiks ’o be expedited,” said Mr Barter,, ‘ for t is well-known that, when men are memployed they are dissatisfied. Further requests by Mr Barter were ihat blankets should be issued free tc men who were going away on relie. work, and that their fares should be paid irrespective of the distance they had to travel. As things stood at present a deduction was made from the first month’s pay. . Mr Ransom replied that no variation was being made in the rates paid y the various departments in the case of men on relief work. All men engaged in skilled work would be paid the rate prevailing in that particular depait ment. Dealing 'with the second point, Mr Ransom remarked: “#he question has been raised as to whether the work that is being done nationally has to be done sooner or later. This raises a big question. Some of it. indeed a good deal of it. might be done very much later, but it has been put in hand to deal with the unemployment problem.” He had arranged for men to be given orders for payment of blankets to be spread over a series of pays. So fai‘ as the railways were concerned, it was ihardly possible as circumstances stood at present, to find work for the great army of unemployed, and to meet all expenses. It was felt .that at le«st some share should be borne by the employee. Another question raised by Mr Barter was that of tenders bv New Zealand manufacturers for public works, particularly in connexion_ with bridge building. Mr Barter urged that every facility should be given to New

Zealand manufacturers to submit tenders. Mr Ransom replied that this point bad not been lost sight of by the Government. Referring to one case, be said it was owing to a contract being accepted by a British firm that mateiials were available at an early date, thus enabling the work to be put_Jn band months earlier than would otherwise have boon the case.