GRAVE CHARGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 108, 10 May 1939, Page 12

GRAVE CHARGES.

HOUSE CONSTRUCTION. STAFFS PROTEST MEETING. RESIGNATION OF INSPECTOR. Described as being probably the nioet drastic step yet taken by a body of public servants, a stop-work meeting of the staff of the Housing Construction Department, Auckland, was held yesterday for tlic stated purpose of "drawing Ministerial attention to the long scries of Depart men tnl mismanagement and muddling that has culminated in the resignation of the inspector in charge at Auckland (Mr. K. Hedley)." It is understood that those who attended the meeting expressed loyalty to Mr. Hedley.

Th<> following resolution was telejrraphetl to the Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong: — "A full meet in',' of the housing staff lit Auckland wa* held to-day. A report of: the meeting was lodged with the Press to-day. It was resolved that while atlirining our loyalty to the Department and the Government, we appeal to you fH'ivonallv to investigate the fundamental causes of our inspector's resignation with a view to their removal, and that you meet the staff here at a further meeting on Friday at throo o'clock, to hear our case and complete your investigation." Reasons Must Remain Private. When interviewed to-day, Mr. Hedlev said that he knew nothing of the action that had been taken by the staff. His resignation would take effect on May H>, and he hoped that he would leave (.lie Department quietly. He had certainly had nothing to do with the etopwork meeting, of which he had had no prior knowledge. "As far as my reasons for leaving are concerned, they must remain private," he added. "All I can say is that it is impossible for me to remain. I have made no arrangements for the future, but am not anticipating any difficulties in that regard." Mr. Hediey had charge of the construction of the Auckland War Memorial Miwcum and the new Wellington railway station. When the Housing Construction Department came into being ho was appointed inspector in charge at Auckland and he has retained that post ever since. At the present time it represents the largest const ruction job in New Zealand. In Auckland alone 2.'J00 houses have been completed, are in course of construction or contracts have been let. This total is being increased at the rate of 120 per month. "Grave and Urgent." It was learned that there was an attendance of 60 at the meeting, representing all sections of the staff. In a statement issued this morning it was stated that the Minister was invited to the meeting sonie days ago, but was not present. The meeting declined to follow the usual publie service procedure in ventilating its grievance "owing to the extreme gravity and urgency of the circumstances." A full detailed report of the whole circumstances was drawn up for presentation to the Minister at next Friday's meeting. When inquiries were made among members of the staff this morning attention wae drawn to the following resolution that had been paesed: "No member of this meeting is either competent or entitled to epeak for the meeting, and no person shall divulge anything that has taken place to any inquirer or other person." It was learned, however, that the action taken was a gesture of loyalty to Mr. Hedley. "This Department is dealing constantly with commercial firms and we consider that where our professional dignity ie assailed by the muddling delay and waste of headquarters that we owe a duty to ourselves and the Government to lodge a protest," said one of the men. "We feel that this is the reason for the resignation of Mr. Hediey, and though he is not a party to the action we have taken, we do so to demonstrate our loyalty to him," he added. "Our wish is to have matters straightened out, and to have an inquiry into certain anomalies, including that of pay. We are in sympathy with Mr. Hediey in the course he hae followed and the reasons which we believe induced him to resign. Our aim is to secure the greatest measure of efficiency possible in the (service."

"Efficient Officer," It would be a serious lo*s to the public and the department if the services of Mr. Hadley were lost, iuid Mr. F. G. Rose, president of the Auckland Master Builders' Association, to-day. "Mr. Hedley is a most efficient and tactful officer and has the department in ! Auckland working smoothly and well," he siid. "I have heard nothing but good of him from the master builders who have been associated with hi? department." Mr. Rose added that it would be an advantags to have a greater measure of control in Auckland in order that small lcssuep, in which delays were irritating 'to builders, could be decided on the spot. J