UNDER AWARD RATE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 3, Issue 617, 23 August 1933, Page 5

UNDER AWARD RATE

carpenters' wages on blue baths work DEPUTATION TO MINISTER The fact that the Public Works Department, by paying carpenters eagaged upon the completion of the Blue Bath 1/8 an hour, was infringing the terms of the Carpenters'' and Joiners' Award, was brought .under the notice of the Minister. of." Public Works (Hon. J. Bitchener) by.a.fier putation from the Rotorua branch .qf the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners which waited^ upon him in the borough council chambers last evening. The members of the deputationj Messrs W. Alexander and Carrington, chairman and secretary respeetively, pointed out that the award rate for carpenters and joiners was 2/- an hour whereas the department was pay ing only 1/8. They also asked that the question of paying the men, f ortnightly instead of monthly should be given consideration. At present the men were placed under. considerahle hardship through having tp wait for a month before they could draw their earnings. Mr. C. H. Clinkard, M.P., who introduced the deputation, said that it could be easily realised that the system of monthly payment would prove a hardship to the men. It was pai'tieularly difficult to obtain credit at the present time and if men had been out of work for some time he would have nothing to tide him ovei' until his pay was due. The Minister, in reply ing, expressed sympathy with the requests but pointed out that his department had adopted a system of monthly payment with regard to all its standard menHe was doubtful whether an exception could be made for Rotorua fiut he would go into the matter and see whether it was possible to make .afiy change. So far as the rates of wages were- concerned, it must be realised that all Government employees had suff ered two cuts and that the time v/as not yet considered opportune to restore these. If an increase was given the carpenters and joiners, the bricklayers and other artisans might with equal justice contend that their rates should be increased. This ' opened up a very wide question and one which must be very carefully considered. He would see what could be done but he could not hold out any great hopes in the present condition of affairs. It must be rememhered that it was difficult to employ -men at all and that if the completion of the baths could not be carried out inside the estimate., it could not be done at all.