£17,500,000 IN THREE YEARS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 195, 15 May 1936, Page 12

£17,500,000 IN THREE YEARS

Planned Expenditure on Public Works MINISTER OUTLINES MORE VIGOROUS PROGRAMME

Agreement With Workers’ Union Intensive development in public works activities during the next three years was foreshadowed in a statement made by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, in the House of Representatives last night. In addition to outlining the future policy to be followed by his department, Mr. Semple tabled a copy of the agreement which has recently been completed between the Government and Public Works employees, providing . for increased rates of pay, shorter hours, and improved conditions on public works. Features embodied in both the Ministerial statement and agreement are as follow: — Expenditure of £17,500,000 on a three years programme of national works. Basic rate of pay for labourers fixed at 16/- a day. with equality for single and married men, Europeans and Maoris. Introduction of a five-day' week of 40 hours, with a provision for making up lost time on Saturday mornings. Abolition of relief works and declaration that all public works are to be declared standard works. Granting of five days’ annual leave on full pay to men with one year’s service and ten days on full pay' to men with two years’ service or over, together with payment for seven statutory holidays each year. Arrangements for improved accommodation and recreation facilities.

“A more vigorous Public Works programme is one of the main planks of the Government’s policy,” the Minister said. “My investigations have indicated that in the past there has been no particularly well-defined public works policy. It is only fair to the department that its officers should know the Government’s mind, and further it is only right that a policy involving the country in millions of pounds of expenditure should be along sound, well-defined and definite lines. My effort has been to lay down such _ a policy. Since I assumed office as Minister' of Public Works, I have given much consideration to those works which, while being capable of absorbing large numbers of men, will give the greatest and readiest return to the State, and 1 have endeavoured by personal inspections to familiarise myself with proposed works of this nature. Conditions On Works. “On assuming office I found conditions in the Public Works Department to be not altogether satisfactory, although 1 do not blame the departmental officers for this. As a result of lhe relief work system adopted by the late Government during the last few years, the men employed by the department had not. been given any inducement to work properly. Stoppages of work were occurring in many places, and discontent exisled on a great number of works. I found the department to be practically depleted of effective and up-to-date plant. The institution of the relief work system had brought about a method of doing work by means of inadequate plant, and the importance of a job seemed to- be considered chiefly by its possibility of absorbing manual labour. “In fact, since the stoppage of the railway works some years ago, the department had been steadily disposing of its plant and machinery. The result to-day is that, before an energetic programme of public works can be initiated, many thousands of pounds will have to be spent in the purchase of now and up-to-date machinery. We are at present making a careful selection of lhe most modern machinery for construction work of all kinds so that the work will be done as speedly and efficiently as possible. I am determined to scrap such inadequate appliances as the wheelbarrow, hand-cart and so on. In other words, we are going to modernise the public works of this country. Certain tractors, locomotives, compressors and graders of the latest type are already on order, and others will follow. Steps Toward Improvement, “The position then existing could not be tolerated, and I immediately took steps which have already resulted in some improvement from the point of view of both the administration and the workmen. Some of these steps, as already announced, were:— Installation ot new methods of doing work on aerodromes, and in some cases lifting contract rates. (Gangs previously earning on piecework rates 10/- and 11/- a day arc now in some cases earning nearly twice that amount.) Stopping payment of 4/6 a week rent for tents for married couples; Increasing the pay for Maoris from about 7/6 a day to the same rate as that for Europeans; Giving relief workers on publie works seven days’ holiday at Chrismastime on full pay—amounting to £25,000; Giving workers pay for Labour

Day, whicli had been denied them —amounting to £2OOO or £3OOO. “The effect of these concessions is apparent in a better feeling on the works. A more reasonable return for their earnings is already being received from the men, and I am satisfied that a greater output of work has been the result. Definite Plans Essential. “it became apparent to me at an early date that, for the efficient functioning of a department of this nature, a planned programme of work over a period of years was essential. Only by'such a means could maximum efficiency in administration and operation be achieved. I therefore instructed my engineers io make a careful selection of all possible works, taking them in their order of urgency and importance, over first a three-year period, and secondly over a longer period. “The programme already decided upon, comprising a three-years’ scheme, will involve expenditure of approximately £17.500,000. and includes reading, bridging, irrigation, aerodrome constrnction. completion of certain railways, river protection works, drainage schemes, sand dune reclamation, elimination of dangerous railway crossings, electric power works, and erection of public buildings. A feature of this programme will be extensive activity in reading and bridging in the backblock areas, and it will he my endeavour to provide more reasonable access to all back-country settlers. In fact the provision which I propose for this year's operations in this direction will be double, the provision of any previous year. “My visits of inspection to various parts of the country have convinced me of the necessity for the control of tin* main arterial reading system being under tiie one administration, and 1 propose shortly to introduce a Bill whicli will give effect to this. As a first step, some 4000 miles of main highways comprising the main traffic routes only will be placed under the sole control of the Main Highways Board and administered as State highways. By this means it will bo possible to bring about-uniformity of construction, maintenance and control. “'The Main Highways Bottl'd is at present preparing a planned programme of work covering a three-year period, and it is proposed to give the board tt certain definite income, based on a greater contribution from petrol tax revenue. At present only about 4d. of the lOd. petrol tax- is expended on the roads. No increase in the present tax is proposed. By means of this Bill, the dictation of the Main Highways Board’s policy will become the function of the Government through the Minister in charge of the board. 16,000 Men on Public Works. “When I assumed office, approximately 12,000 men were employed, the majority of them being relief workers. The complement to-day is 16,000 men, and when the full programme is in active operation, I anticipate considerably increasing the number, even witli the introduction of much more plant than is now in use. The existing practice of men for publie works being sent direct to the Public Works Department by unemployment bureaux in the different centres, and without any regard whatever to their fitness for their work or their capabilities, will cease; in fact a classification on the existing jobs must be done. The qualification for employment under the Public Works Department will be on the ability of the man to do the job, and unless an applicant can measure up in this regard he will not bo employed. Service will be demanded, aud there will be no room for the man who cannot do the job and "'ho would be a burden on his mates. The Public Works Department is not the place for the man who, by reason of his physique, is more capable of the lighter types of employment, and it will be our job to see that men are sorted out according to their ability to do the work for which they are best fitted. “I have concluded an agreement with the New Zealand Workers’ Union which will cover all employees of the department. Under the new agreement,a five-day week of forty hours is 'introduced on the public works of New Zealand, and it will consist of eight hours to be worked on each day from Monday to Friday inclusive. Workmen will have Saturday free unless they elect to work on Saturday morning to make up tune which has been lost earlier in the week owing to wet weather.

"Practically nil the works which have been carried out by the department for several years have been classified ns relief works, and the basic rates of pay have been 12/'- a tiny t°r married and 9/- for single- men. Under the now agreement all works will in future be classed as standard works and the basic rate of pay for labourers will bo 16/- a day. and single men will receive the same rate of pay as married men. Similar increases are being granted to other classes of employees covered by the agreement. No distinction will bo made between natives and European...

“The present system of co-operative contracts is to be adopted as a principle. I am a believer in the cooperative contract system which has been in operation on public works for

over 40 years. It encourages men to give of their best, as they are paid by results ami know that they will be paid what they earn. The prices allowed for the different classes of material mid work will be sufficient to enable men of average ability, working industriously, to earn the daily rates of wages provided for in the agreement, and although the average earnings may not exceed standard wages, it is expected that good men will earn more than wages. Workmen will be allowed to select their workmates. They will also be allowed to appoint their headman, subject to confirmation by the engineer. This provision is necessary to ensure that the best, men available are placed in charge of parties. “Two pays will be made each month instead of the old system of monthly pays, which was unsatisfactory, especially for married men who accepted country work and had to leave their families at home. Holiday Privileges. “In the past workmen on what are known as full-time relief or unemployment works have not been paid for statutory holidays or for any annual leave. All works will in future be classed as standard works, and all employees with over two months’ service will be paid for seven statutory holidays as they occur each year. In addition, men with one year’s service will be paid for five days’ annual leave (one week's pay) and those with two years' service or over will be paid for ten days’ annual leave (two weeks’ pay). “Seriously injured workmen will be conveyed to the nearest doctor and hospital at the department’s expense This has not always been done in the past and has caused hardship in many instances. A vehicle suitable for use as an ambulance is to be kept on large works, together with all necessary equipment therefor, including stretchers, bedding and blankets. Wellstocked first-aid outfits will also be kept in suitable positions on works. Better Accommodation. “For some years past, two men have had to share a tent, but in future each man will be provided with a tent to himself, except where cookhouses are provided on works. No accommodation for married men with their families has been provided for several years, but under the new agreement specially designed tent accommodation consisting of three rooms with a stove will be provided on works which will take more than 12 mouths to complete. A combined bathroom and washhouse, with tubs, copper and galvanised iron bath will be erected for each group of four married men’s quarters. It is my intention that the tent or other accommodation provided on works shall be as comfortable as conditions or circumstances permit. “Recreation halls, including a room for use as a library, will be erected on large works when considered desirable. I am strongly of opinion that it is desirable that men who are in camps on construction works and therefore away from public or reference libraries should have an opportunity for studyin their leisure hours, and it is my intention that libraries on construction works, in addition to containing lighter reading, should contain standard works dealing with the different trades, works or structures on which the men are engaged in order that their interest in the work itself and knowledge of principles involved may be stimulated: and that they may have also facilities for study of world affairs, including social and monetary problems. It is my intention that committees of the men be appointed to supervise the libraries, and I shall be willing to assist with the purchase of suitable standard works. Preference to Unionists. "Unconditional preference to unionists is provided for in the agreement, and all workmen employed on construction works of the department must join the New Zealand Workers' Union with whom this agreement lets been made. The only exception will be in the case of artisans who will not be required to join the New Zealand Workers’ Union until they have been employed lottwo months if they already belong to a trade union. “Since accepting the portfolio of Public Works, I have received numerous complaints aud requests from individual workmen and committees of workmen. The new agreement makes special provision for the procedure to be adopted in making requests or settling disputes. The New Zealand Workers’ Union is to appoint a representative on every work, and all complaints or requests by workmen are to be made through him to the engineer or other officer in charge of the work. If the local engineer and the union representative are unable to arrive at a settlement, each of them is to forward a separate statement to the district engineer. If the engineer is unable to effect a settlement, the dispute is to referred to the head offices of the Public Works Department and of the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Men are not to stop work while a dispute is under consideration either locally or by the head offices of the department and the union, or by the Minister of Public Works. This will explain my stipulation that all workmen on construction works must belong to this one union. Application of Agreement,

“The agreement applies to workmen on construction works, but does not apply to those regularly employed on maintenance of existing works or services such as surfacemen on roads or highways, workmen engaged in operation or maintenance of hydro-electric or irrigation schemes, tradesmen or others employed on maintenance, etc., of buildings. Neither does it apply to workmen directly under the control of the PublW;Service Commissioner. “The agreement will operate as from June .1. 1936, and will remain in force for three years. The Minister, however, is entitled to alter the rates of pay at any time if the Government should find it necessary. Further, the Minister has the right, in the event of any of-its terms being violated, to cancel a part or the whole of the agreement. either in respect of a particular locality or of the whole of the Dominion. “No Room for lhe Slacker.” “I have entered into this agreement on the understanding that the union will serve a .dual purpose: it will be helpful to the workmen and to the de partment, and the union officials will co-operate with myself and the department to the fullest possible extent. I am satisfied that the executive of the union will act accordingly, and now that workmen will have a decent wage, and good working conditions, I am con fident that the Public Works Department will again become the competent and efficient constructional organisation it was before practically all of its undertakings were converted into relief of unemployment works with small rates of pay and other unsatisfactory conditions. "In future there will be no room for the slacker or unsatisfactory workman on publie works. Workmen should be able to earn a decent wage and will

have good conditions and will be expected to give of their best, the object being to have a well-trained and efficient body of men who will be a credit to themselves and to the State. “In conclusion I admit that the proposals outlined are comprehensive, hut our task ami our effort are to build New Zealand. Finance will be available for the creation of these assets. We have the men; we have tl»e engineering and administrative ability available; and with courage to go ahead I am convinced that, bymeans of this development, New Zealand will advance." The Minister stated, in reply to ft question by Mr. S. G. Smith (Opposition, New Plymouth), that a list of the works the department proposed to undertake would be made available to members later. “I can assure the honourable gentleman that I have nothin'to hide,” he added. WORKING TERMS Detailed Rates of Pay The agreement reached between the Government and the New Zealand Workers' Union regarding terms and conditions of employment on public works contains 32 clauses. The agreement is to come into operation on June 1. 1936, and is to continue in operation until May 30, 1939. It is signed by the Minister on behalf of _ the Government, by Mr. J. Wo'od, acting-engineer-in-chief and undersecretary of the Publie Works Department, and Mr. A. Cook, general secretary of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, The detailed rates o£ pay as set out in the agreement are as follow:— Axeman, 2/3 per hour. Blacksmith’s striker, 2/1). Loco, cleaner, according to age. 1/1) to 2/-. Compressor attendant, 2/3. Compressor, head attendant. 2/4). Concrete worker, tunnel, 2/4). Concrete worker, ordinary, 2/1). Driver, one horse, £4/2/- a week. Driver, two horses, £4/6/-. Each additional horse, 3/- a week extra, yiotor-lorry or tractor driver, up to 30cwt., £4/9/-. Motor-lorry driver, over 30ewt., £4/16/-. Motor-roller driver, £4/8/-. Grader driver, mechanical, £5. Steam-roller driver, £5, plus 1/6 a day for getting up steam. Driver and operator light two-horse grader. £4/13/-. Other drivers— Crusher, 2/3 per hour. Electric winch or crane, 2/3. Steam loco under 12 tons, 2/5. Electric or petrol loco, under 12 tons, 2/4. Steam crane, 2/5. Steam winch, 2/41. Navvy or drag line, 2/6. Fencer. 2/1) an hour. Loco fireman, 2/1). Shovel fireman, 2/1). Concrete ganger, 2/3. Line-lifter ganger, 2/3. Navvy gauger, 2/1). Tunnel plate-layer ganger, 2/4 j. Plate-layer ganger. 2/3. Quarry ganger, 2/3. Road ganger. 2/1) to 2/3. Seoop ganger, 2/3. Tunnel headman, 2/10. Labourer, 2/-. Skilled labourer, 2/1). Railway line lifter, 2/1. Quarry machineman, 2/3. Tunnel machinenian, 2/4). i Plate-layer, 2/11. Power-house attendant, 2/3. Quarryman. 2/1). Leading quarrytnan, 2/2). Rigger, 2/4). Tunnel shift boss, 2/7. Shot-firer, 2/1). Loco, shunter. 2/lld. Tar boiler attendant, 2/1). Tar sprayer, 2/3. Tool sharpener, 2/3). Tradesmen, Includlilg blacksmith, boilermaker, bricklayer, bridge carpenter, carpenter and joiner, electrician, fitter, including nieclumie, painter, plasterer, and plumber, etc., 2/6 and 2/7) an hour. Tunnel trucker, 2/3. Tunneller. 2/4). Welder, 2/6 and 2/7), [>lus allowance of 1/6 a day. Ou works where camp accommodation is not available workmen will be paid an allowance of Id. per hour for time actually worked. They will not be entitled to payment for travelling time. For workmen living in camp accommodation over a mile Rom their work and having to walk to their work travelling time will be paid for at the rate of 20 minutes to the mile. The provision for a working week of 40 hours, with an eight-hour day, states that all work must be carried out between 7.30 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday inclusive. The ordinary working day in “wet places” is to be six hours, with an additional three hours on Saturdays, and will be paid for at time and a third. Another clause states that no overtime whatever is to be permitted by euginee's if it is avoidable. However, when overtime is worked payment at time and a half will be made. Double rates will be paid for all time worked on Saturdays, except where men are making up time lost through wet weather, and for statutory holidays and Sundays. The men will have the option of taking time off without pay. If a work is situated in a very isolated locality or in a district with an exceptionally heavy rainfall, workmen may, with the Minister’s approval, be granted a locality allowance to be determined In cases of emergency, sueh as slips and washaways, men are to be provided with reasonable refreshment at the expense of the Government. Leaving certificates are to be granted to all workmen and must be presented ou application for re-employment. There is provision for a “smoke-oh” at the option of workers for ten minutes every morning and afternoon. It is also laid down that where practicable workmen shall be given at least one week’s notice of a decision to shorten hands on any particular job owing to the advanced stage or completion of the work. When workmen are transferred from one job to another they will be paid travelling expenses in addition to the ordinary daily rate of pay while travelling. It is stated that the agreement will apply to workmen employed on construction works, but not to workmen employed regularly on maintenance or operation of existing works or services. Neither does it apply to workmen _ appointed by the Public Service Commissioner.