2000 DISMISSALS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 145, 15 March 1932, Page 10

2000 DISMISSALS

Cut in Public Work's Staff FIRST ECONOMY MOVE Approximately 2000 men will have been put off the Public Works Department staff by the end of this week, this being the' first large economy move in accordance with the recent statement made by the Minister of Public Works, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates. These dismissals will be accompanied by a proportionate reduction in the administrative staff’. The remainder of the dismissals made necessary through the curtailment of Public Works spending by 75 per cent, to a little over £1,250,000 a year, will be carried out in easy stages. By the end of next month it is expected that another 3000 men will have been put off, making 5000 of the present total of 12,000 employees. It is hoped that it will be possible to keep the remaining 7000 men in work, although they will have to accept reduced rates of pay, probably about £2/10/- a week, or 8/- a day, with shelter and the usual privileges. Generally, the work throughout the department will be on a relief basis, with money being provided from the unemployment funds if possible. The change whereby work has been slowed up at Tawa Flat has been carried out. There are now two headings on two shifts, instead of four headings on three shifts.