DISCOURTESY CHARGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 263, 5 November 1932, Page 18

DISCOURTESY CHARGE.

AUCKLAND LABOUR OFFICE. MB. SAVAGE'S COMPLAINT. MINISTER TAKES NOTICE. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter. 1 WELLINGTON, Friday. Complaints of discourtesy at the Auckland office of the Labour Department were renewed by Mr. M. J. Savage (Labour, Auckland West) in the House of Representatives to-day. Mr. Savage complained ot reliet workers' pay for Labour Day being held up, and asked for immediate action to beT'taken. He also wanted to know whether members of Parliament could not get copies of the conditions governing relief workers and the schedules of pay- He wanted ,to know whether members of Parliament were to act as the fifth wheel to the coach while persons responsible to no one were playing about with the situation. "It is not too much to ask for civility from the Auckland Labour office," continued Mr. Savage. He explained that he did not worry the office much, but when he telephoned for information he was refused, and when he asked for the head of the Department the receiver was slammed on the telephone. The only satisfaction he got when he complained to the Minister was that the official was renowned for his courtesy. It was the first time since he had been in the House that his word had not been taker, by a Minister. Generally speaking, he received courtesy from Ministers, private secretaries, and heads of Departments, but he suggested that the sooner there was some investigation into conditions ruling in the Auckland office the better it would he for the Unemployment Fund. A good deal of discourtesy and lack of ability were in evidence there and many unemployed ware afraid to go to the office. - Replying to Mr. Savagej the Hon. A.f Hamilton said he was sorry if any d'.scourtesy was shown because there was no member •in the House one would like to see discourtesy extended to less than to Mr. Savage. Mr. A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill): The complaint of- discourtesy in that office is quite prevalent. The Minister said serious notice had been taken of the complaint at the time, and he was sure Mr. Savage would not have the same cause for complaint in the future. Mr. W. J. Jordan (Labour, Manukau): It is a general complaint. The Minister said if any difficulty arose in future he would give it attention. There was no reason why there should be discourtesy. Mr. Jordan: They treat the, unem-. ployed like cattle. Mr. Richards: Two men want shifting.