CONTRACT OR DAY LABOUR?

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2585, 26 May 1923, Page 4

CONTRACT OR DAY LABOUR?

At Tuesday’s meeting of the Horowhenua Electric Power Board the following paragraph in the Engineer’s report was discussed: “As. constructional work will he commencing, shortly,-I would like some direction as to the rates of pay holidays, etc., labourers are to receive. This rate will of course, determine payments to he made to more skilled operatives such as gangers, pole fitters and the like. In connection with line-men and others, subject to an award, I take it that the award rates will apply.” The chairman said that if they wanted to,have good men they would have to pay a fair wage, Inn there was no reason why they should be lavish. The Engineer said lie considered 13s a day was a fair basic wage. For more skilled labour they would have to pay up to 16 s. Mr McKay raised the point as to whether the Board should put up poles by contract. Tho. Engineer said in some cases it might be satisfactory and in others it would not he.

Mr.lvilsby quoted the experience of the Otaki Borough Council in laying water pipes. A change was made from- day labour to contract with the result that the work was being done quicker with fewer men. The Chairman questioned whether the quality of work under contract was the same ns under properly supervised day labour. Mr Seifert considered the honefils of day labour were greatly over-rated. Under contract there was a process of natural selection, by which suitable men were retained and /greater efficiency obtained. One difficulty was that just when a gang had been built up, Ihe contractor probably lost a tender and it was dispersed again. Mr Gunning considered heller results were obtained from contract work. The Chairman said the matter was one largely for the Engineer. They hadjto get the work done satisfactorily. He,considered it was a matter of supervision every time. Mr Barber said a great deal rested with the Engineer. Mr McKay said lie raised the point because the best, men he knew of were looking for contracts. They were not seeking day work. The Chairman: There are men in .the district who would like to go on day work with the idea of getting a knowledge of the work and subsequently becoming contractors. After further discussion as to the quality of contract work Mr McKay said they were not bound to accept the lowest tender, but could give it to reliable men. Reverting to the question of wages, Mr Ross asked whether the workers would not come under the general labourers’ award. The whole matter was referred to the Finance Committee to consider.