PUBLIC WORKS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 404, 10 April 1937, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS.

FARM EMPLOYEES NOT ENTICED. Minister Issues Denial. Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, April 9. Referring to a statement emanating from a meeting of the Egmont County Council alleging that the Public Works Department was enticing men from farms for other works, which was contrary to its stated principles, the- Munster of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, said to-day: "I am pleased' to be in a position to say, after making exhaustive injuiries, that this statement hae absolutely no foundation and is as baseless as the statements made on the same' subject by the New ‘Zeatand’ Farmers’ Union a few months ago. On that occasion I commented that the statement had political significance, and to this exception was taken. “I think, however, -I am entitled to assume now that I have obtained' evidence in complete denial of the accusations made that such is the case in this instance. I have announced on many occasions that it is the policy of my department to employ only registered and eligible unemployed workers, and men who follow farm work for a livelihood are definitely ineligible for employment on public works.”