OPPOSITION TO EXPENDITURE ON COUNTY PLANT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 86, 23 August 1950, Page 5

OPPOSITION TO EXPENDITURE ON COUNTY PLANT

Dissatisfaction with the proposed expenditure of about £5700 of new plant, which includes the purchase of three trucks and a steamroller, was strongly expressed by councillors L. W. Luxton and W. Hunter at the monthly meeting of the Whakatane County Council. Despite their opposition it was decided to go ahead with the purchase of the equipment and orders are now being placed.

Both councillors Luxton and Hunter thought the expenditure too high and that instead of buying new machinery the present plant and staff should be overhauled to find some means of cutting down costs. They criticised the trends of workmen today. An order of three trucks at one time seemed a little large Cr Luxton declared. He objected to the expenditure and then referred to the way workmen were carrying out their duties. It had started with the Public Works, who had set a bad example throughout New Zealand. Their unsatisfactory system and feeling had spread to county workmen. He thought the council should endeavour to get its staff back to the time when a man worked for his pay. Instead of buying new plant the work should be given to private enterprise—private contractors. Cr D. C. Butler: But we need new plant for, maintenance work. The council, must carry on with this work. Unemployment Needed

Cr W. Clark: Until we get to the point where we have unemployed we won’t get anywhere. Expenditure did seem to be excessive, Cr W. Hunter said. He considered that county labour and plant were only working part of the day and that it was time for an overhaul of both plant and staff. More work should be given to private contractors Cr A. F. McGougan thought. He had noticed that some county heavy trucks seemed to be running round carrying men. •

If the work was given to contractors he felt sure more work would be done.

The council was quite willing to give work to contractors but where were the contractors to give the work to, Cr Butler wanted to row. Much of the labour trouble was due to the foreman on the job, Cr J. Wilson contended. This was the root of a lot of trouble. The men should be made to work. He liked private enterprise but he knew of one place at Te Whaiti where private enterprise had fallen down on the job. With the exception of the steamroller all the units to be purchased were maintenance machinery, Cr A. Wardlaw pointed out. He did not know of any private contractor who would undertake maintenance work and it was essential that maintenance work be kept up.

Little Unfair Cr Wardlaw said he thought much of the criticism aimed at county workmen was a little unfair. The men being carried round in A rucks were often moving from job to job as they undertook a lot of piece work. It was necessary to provide transport. Considering the state of conditions today he considered the county had a very good staff. The chairman, Mr J. L. Burnett, pointed out that the new trucks were being bought to cut down future costs. The whole position had been considered by the engineer and mechanic, who thought it would be an economical policy in the long run. He agreed that the operation of the trucks might be improved but he thought the council was fortunate in the staff it had at the present time.

Referring to private contractors the chairman said that there were only two in the district and only one had been found to be satisfactory. In any case the contractors could not hope to cope with all the work offering. In the meantime the council would have ot carry on and do the work itself until more contractors were offering.

A Better Staff The engineer, Mr C. H. Brebner, felt that the council was building up a better staff but it was difficult to compete with private enterprise where high money was being offered. However, as much work as possible was being done bl contract.

Cr Luxton said he would like to see the purchase of a steamroller deferred for six months. He was supported by Cr Hunter, who went further and suggested that the three trucks be deferred for three months. Both these suggestions were defeated and the council decided to go ahead and purchase the equipment previously recommended.