DISMISSAL OF MEN

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22768, 21 July 1939, Page 10

DISMISSAL OF MEN

STATE HOUSING DEPARTMENT ECONOMY MEASURE AT AUCKLAND EMPLOYMENT ON PUBLIC WORKS OFFERED (press association telegram.) AUCKLAND, July 20. Described officially as an economy and reorganisation measure, approximately 350 out of the 500 men employed on clearing, development, and masonry work, together with a few carpenters, are being dismissed by. the State Housing Department in Auckland, and are being offered work elsewhere, chiefly with the Public Works' Department. Already more than 100 have been dismissed, and the services of the remainder will be dispensed with during the next three or four weeks. Strong dissatisfaction among the men at the Housing Department’s action had its result in a stop-work meeting in the Trades Hall this morning, when from 8 o’clock until 11 about 300 employees discussed the position. One of the chief causes of complaint was that the work offered under the Public Works Department was at a distance from the city, and at a rate lower than that which the men have been receiving. Eventually two delegates were appointed to interview the Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) at Wellington with a view to having the men retained in the Housing Department’s employ. “The dismissals are being made contingent on the point that no man will be put off without the opportunity of transferring to other work, chiefly concerned with the Public Works Department’s operations,” said Mr R. L. McPhail, head of the Housing Construction Department at Auckland, when commenting on the question. Some time might elapse before all the proposed transfers were made; but in the meantime the men concerned would be retained by the departmeht. It was also hoped to find work for a limited number of men through the efforts of the local placement officer.

Mr McPhail said that practically all the men concerned had been employed on clearing, preparing, and fencing house sites. So well had many sites been prepared in the past that incoming tenants were able to start planting after a minimum of extra effort. Now it was intended to curtail this work, and restrict the breaking in of sections to the bare essentials.

Work for both married and single men was being offered. under the Public Works Department at HobsonviUe, and it was proposed that mainly single men should be engaged on work under the shme department at Muriwai. Mr McPhail admitted that payment under the Public Works Department was on a different basis from that under the Housing Construction . Department, and was on a lower scale.

Reducing Costs Although Mr McPhail did not make the point, it is understood that the department is tightening control in an endeavour to reduce costs now met from its own funds, but which previously came from the Employment Promotion Fund. Those who attended the stop-work meeting included a large number who have already been dismissed. Apart from a comparative few, members of the Stonemasons’ Union, all belonged to the New Zealand Workers’ Union. It was not, however, an official union meeting. From statements made it is apparent that many men will refuse to accept engagement on the Public Works Department jobs offering. A complaint was made that only £4 a week was being offered, whereas they have been receiving £4 17s 6d a week, including 3s 4d a week transport allowance. If they went to Hobsonville or Muriwai they would have to provide their own transport and food, and after deducting Social Security tax little would be left on which to live. For married men, who would have to keep two homes going, the position would be extremely difficult. It was stated that a certain amount of. criticism was also levelled at the Government on account of the allegedly excessive administrative costs within the Housing Construction Department. The delegates appointed to see Mr Savage will go to Wellington immediately.