STATE WORKERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1920, Page 5

STATE WORKERS.

SOME IMPROVEMENTS PROMISED. STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER. By Telegraph— Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Minister of Public Works (Mr. Coates) had a meeting to-day with the Committee representing the deputation" of public works men who waited on him the previous day. This committee discussed with the Minister details of their demands. The Minister said to-night that some of the questions would have to be considered by Cabinet, \ such as the demand for increased wages, and a 44-hour week. Working conditions and methods he had discussed with the committee, but there were still a few matters to be settled. To deal with these points the men would meet the Chief Engineer (Mr. Holmes) next day. As to the question of canteens, the Government had established these at some works, and, in effect, the men wished to have this arrangement made general. The question of housing accommodation for the men had been amicably settled. Baths were to be provided for on tunnels and for other concentrated works. The sanitary arrangements were to be better provided for in future. An agreement had also been reached on the matter of travelling time.

The Minister said also that an arrangement had been made far the settlement of disputes on the job. The men "would elect a representative, and he, with the foreman, would go into the trouble and endeavor to reach a conclusion. If they failed the matter would have to go to the Engineer for settlement. This would be very much better than the present practice of coming down to headquarters in Wellington to the Afinister and the Department. Many of the demands of the men had already been granted by Sir William Fraser in certain places, but they were not-generally applicable.