STANDARD PAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 204, 29 August 1934, Page 10

STANDARD PAY.

CHOICE OF RELIEF WORKERS.

INQUIRY AT MOUNT ALBERT.

Allegations of preferential treatment in tho engaging of men on the scheme of relief work, on which standard rates of pay are being paid, were made by more than one member of the Mount Albert Borough Council at last night's, meeting. In tho absence, of the Mayor, Mr. R. Ferner, the chair was occupied by the deputy-Mayor, Mr. B. Brigham.

Letters were read from four unemployed, residents of the borough complaining that they had been unable to get employment under the latest scheme, although they had been employed before the standard rates of pay operated.

Mr. F. IC. 'Martin said there was undoubtedly dissatisfaction in the borough with the employment of men. Whether that dissatisfaction was justified he was not prepared to say, but he wanted to bo satisfied that there waa no preferen-

tial treatment. It was stated that men. had been told to come and reside in the borough and they would get employment. At present one officer, the engineer,' had the right to employ the men, and ho (Mr. Martin) did not think that was right. He moved that the matter of employing men be referred to the staff committee, and a list of those already employed iindcr the scheme, showing whether they were residents in the borough, be submitted to the council.

Mr. V. A. Coyle, in. seconding the motion, said many accusations had been made. "Nobody in the council wishes to influence the engineer in giving men employment," he said, "and personally I think that' only merit should count. If it can be shown tbat anyone has crept into a job by back-door methods, then I for one will not stand for it. In fairness to the engineer the position should be cleared up. Ho has the unenviable job of selecting the men, and can only employ 200. Naturally there will be some disgruntled ones. It has been eaid that I have used my influence to get men jobs, but it is not so.

Mr. H. L. Kayes said he had been told that 00 per cent of the old gang had been dismissed. He did not know what was wrong with those men; they seemed to be good workers.

-Mr, Brjgham: I think it best to refer the matter to the staff committee, and have the whole of the cards placed on the table.

It was agreed that the writers of the letters should be invited to wait upon the staff committee and voice their complaints; '■'■', t*