PUBLIC WORKS PAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 130, 3 June 1937, Page 6

PUBLIC WORKS PAY.

WEATHER AND THE AVERAGE RATE. I wouM Tike to ask the Hon. T\. Semple and any other M.P. why they continue to issue statements which are misleading. I refer to pay on P.W-D. jobs (roading). Does Mr. Semple know that there are hundreds of men on P.W.D. on wages, not contract, and who are limited to 10/ per day, or 2/ per hour? Sounds big. but here is the fly in the ointment—wet weather. On a job ten miles from Auckland men have lost since Christmas an average of two days per pay (two weeks); at that it equals £3 4/ per week and is certainly not 19/7 per day, as quoted. On contract some <»angs, but few, are earning 19/7 per day for per week. I do not think I would be wrong if I stated that the average weekly wage individually was less than £3 11/: and whv? Not because they don't earn it. When arriving at the statement of 19/7 a day earned •on an average on P.W.D. jobs those who issue such a statement should be candid ;:nd not trv and mislead, and. above all, they should deduct the wages paid to 244 lorry drivers employed by the Department in shifting spoil from jobs and being paid at the rate of over £3 per day, or £30 per pay day, two weeks of ten. days, also surveyors, assistant engineers, and other assistants, etc. Then and then only can an accurate average wage be given. In conclusion, let me state that P.W.D. men on wages are not having such a good time as people are led to believe —far from it. There are no loungers, scroungers, spittoon artists or snivellers on wages on the P.W.D- payrolls now. Even though the Labour party's pre-election slogan was asritate and educate. fact, not yirn "-