SHORT TIME WORK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 258, 23 June 1932, Page 5

SHORT TIME WORK

AN ALTERNATIVE BOROUGH COUNCIL DECIDES TO RE-CONSIDER CUT' ' IN IIOURS LOAN BALANCES AVAILABLE At the meeting of the Rotorua Borough "Council last night the Mayor (Mr. T. Jackson) referred 'to' tlife* decision of the council, ooiade with great reluctance, to put certain members of the staff oia short time. Mr. Jackson said he realised that the Works Committee in bringing forward the recommendation had ndt tha funds to keep the men in employment; " The recommendation was the only thing which could he done, but his attention had been called to certain- unexpacted balances "which might- alter the situation. It illustrated the necessity for coordination in comaaaittee expenditure. Had the works comanittee been aware of these "balaaaces it would prohably not have made the recommendation. He thought the council should go into those balances and find out what additional moaaey could be made available to keep the staff in full employment. He laad not yet had time to find out what parcentage of those balaaaces which could he made aVailable for labour costs. If those balances could be aaaade available he Was sure aao couaaciller wished to See the men oaa short tiaaae. - ' Go Into Position Cr. A. Smith thought that there were possibilities in the situation 'and he moved that the finance coilamittee go into the position. Cr. E. T. Johnson seconded the motion. He presanaed that the council would not be able to transfer liioiaey from one coananittee to another."* The Mayor said there werd unexpected loan balances-. The mottey would have to be speiat oia specified worlt without special authority.-'They had, in the case of the abattoir loan, been able to transfer for reclamatiO'n work. That money could be usbd for eiaaploying peaeaaanent haaads on thet work. The other balaaaces were from works loans. The moiaey was certairfly available, but they had to see wh'at proportion could he used for lahotir and what was required for anaterial. Cr. Johnson said it was the laSt thiiag the conanaittee wanted to do to put off these men, but the fact remained that they had six aaaeaa too many and the gsneral good of the community had to be considered. Finally it was decided that the finance aaad works conanaittees confer upon the question and report to the next aneeting.