PUBLIC WORKS MEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 64, 16 March 1936, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS MEN.

There is nothing new in conceding to men labouring in gangs under the co-operative contract system facilities for "peaching" on their weaker or less productive mates, stumbling along in the rear of the average output. The Hon. F. E. Lark is reported as having said that "provision would be made to ensure a full return of labour. If men did not give a full return on a job, their mates would have the right to put them out of a gang." Looming ahead of every speeder is the slowing down of age; the shadow of the amble is ever upon the sprint. Who, then, are to> be the informers? There is, too, more loyalty in men, one to another, than this arrangement proclaims. What does seem new, however, is the open approval of a "principle" which these and all men learned in boyhood's "once upon a time," to apprehend with instant scorn and detestation, and jn those days with great industry contracted co-operatively to deal with according to its merits. The Christian road is the same for all—Governments not excepted —so it is important to start off in the right direction. "We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak."

DO UNTO OTHERS.