MEN DISCHARGED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 117, 19 May 1936, Page 11

MEN DISCHARGED.

COUNCIL RELIEF WORKS. ANSWER TO DEPUTATION. The discharging of several men who had been employed on jobs at Gillies Avenue and the Stone Jug in April last was before the City Council last evening, when tho employment committee reported upon a deputation which had waited upon it, asking, among other things, that the council keep the works mentioned going, even on relief allocation.

The employment committee recommended that a reply be made that whilst the council regretted the necessity for reducing tho number«'of men, the works authorised were nearing completion and pending further new works no alternative was open other than to reduce tho number employed. In view of the circumstances surrounding the position of other-unemployed, could not agree to preferential treatment being meted out to any one section as requested bv the deputation, but, having in mind the suggested proposals for further works to relieve unemployment, all labour required for future works would be engaged through the usual channels, giving consideration to all applicants on their merits.

The deputy-Mayor, Mr. B. Martin, said that the last council by way of loans money had instituted certain works to give employment to men then unemployed. These works were just about finished and the present council had tried to keep the men employed by providing other work for them. It had been suggested by those who had been out of work a considerable time that tho council should not retain the same men all the time. "I want to make, this very clear," said Mr. Martin, "if some men are put off others are put on in their place. I want that to be clearly understood so that people will not imagine this council is putting men out of work. Actually more men are being giyen work. Wo are doing this pending the taking of the £400.000 loan poll." The recommendation was adopted.