Appeal Made for Day Labour System

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 734, 6 August 1929, Page 1

Appeal Made for Day Labour System

TRAM EXTENSIONS DEPUTATION TO BOARD “There are thousands who are suffering very great want, and what is worse, are not knowing where next week’s food is coming from," said Mr. D. Wilson, secretary of the Auckland branch of the Labour Party, who led a deputation to the Transport Board this morning urging reconsideration of the board’s decision to have certain of its tram way extension excavations carried out by contract instead of day labour. The board had found that the cost of the latter method would bo twice that of contract, and it was felt that the expense was not warranted. The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. Alum, informed the deputation that only 20 men would be affected. “I am glad to have that assurance,” said Mr. Wilson, “but I feel a principle is at stake.” The Labour Party in Auckland, consisting of 33 affiliated unions, had practically unanimously agreed that the principle of day labour should be upheld. It was considered the duty of every public body in times of stress should be to help the community. He was aware that the board was guided by business principles, but that was all right in prosperous times. “If you won’t listen to the deputation, you might listen to the Prime Minister, who urged local authorities to come forward.” the speaker remarked. ll© challenged the contention that money would be saved by contract. If the board were competent to employ day labourers in the same way as contractors did, there should be no loss. He would be surprised to find that day rates worked out more costly than contract prices. The Harday method, he claimed, bour Board and City Council used the Mr. T. Anderson, representing the Seamen’s onion, was alarmed by the precedent that would be created if the board went ahead with its intention. To Mr. E. H. Potter, this speaker said his objection to the contract system was that the board had no say in whom contractors employed. The men so employed would be husky young fellows, but the board had a duty to those elderly men who were not quite so vigorous, and who had families to keep. HEARTS ACHE FOR WORKLESS Replying, Mr. Allum assured the deputation that the board fully realised the unemployment situation and probably no man had more applications for employment than he. “Our hearts ache for the workless and we know the board’s duty is to do all that it could to assist.” Later, when a report by the engineer on a suggestion by Mr. F. S. Morton that part of the work should be done by day labour and part by contract for the purposes of comparison was under consideration Mr. E. J. Phelan moved an amendment to the motion for adoption of the report that “after due consideration the board is now of opinion that the work should be carried out by day labour.” In seconding, Mr. M. J. Coyle asked why bother about contracts i:! only 20 men were involved. Mount Albert Borough Council was spending largo sums in day labour works. The system was quite satisfactory. Mr. Potter was of opinion that tho board having framed its estimates should stick to them. A large part of the drainage works carried out in his borough and in Mount Albert were constructed almost entirely by contract. “A mountain is being made out of a molehill,” he declared. Mr. L. E. Rhodes, who supported the engineer’s /recommendation, remarked that he had heard nothing fresh that would warrant his changing his mind. The main thing was to get on with the job. It took 18 months to g*et an efficient labouring staff to carry out works in his borough by day labour. If the board had to execute a programme year after year then it would probably be w’ise to have its permanent staff of day workers. Mr. J. Wood supported Mr. Rhodes, pointing out that far more men would be employed by day labour than under contract. Stating that he had information that several men were being sweated under contract, Mr. Morton thought the board would not care to see that sort of thing. He moved the further amendment that the Point Chevalier extension from Surrey Crescent to the Point Chevalier Hall be done by day labour and the rest by contract. Mr. Phelan’s amendment failed, those in favour being the proposer, Mr. Morton, Mr. G. G. Ashley and Mr. Coyle. Mr. Morton’s amendment was also rejected. The board decided to carry on with contracts. In a general statement Mr. Allum said all the discussion was indeed making a mountain out of a molehill. Three hundred and thirty men would be employed by the board, and of these 140 would be labourers, the rest being skilled workers, with the exception of tho 20 who would be employed by contractors. The real reason for the contract system was that it involved modern methods. The engineers considered the expenditure of some thousands on the necessary tools was unwarranted. because there would be no use for them when the extensions were completed. “This board is not to be regarded as responsible for unemployment relief,” Mr. Allum stated, “but we will do all we can to assist. It is useless adopting antiquated methods. I wish to say we will not tolerate sweating. The Great South Road, Remuera and Mount Albert extensions i were excavated under contract- The 1 extra cost of £6.000 cannot be lightly ! regarded, and we must not commit I ratepayers to so heavy a sum. when the work can be done more economically.” Mr. Allum added that the estimates ! of expenditure on the undertaking for \ the current year had been increased Iby £IO,OOO so that additional work j could be done for the assistance of 1 those in need of iL