NEW PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 225, 19 June 1936, Page 12

NEW PUBLIC WORKS AGREEMENT

Some Men Displeased MINISTER’S COMMENT ON RESOLUTIONS Ultimatum to Union Reply was made yesterday by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, to a series of resolutions carried by the Motueka branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union in condemnation generally of the new public works agreement. One of the resolutions expressed a complete lack of confidence in the general secretary of the union (Mr. A. Cook), regarding his action in signing “such a document as Mr. Semple’s socalled agreement, in view of the fact that the agreement is of no advantage to the workers who were responsible for Mr. Semple’s elevation to Ministerial rank.” “X do not intend to let such a resolution go unchallenged,” said the Minister, “in view of the fact that the agreement, without doubt, is the best public works agreement in the British Empire if not in the world. The minimum wage has been lifted from 0/- to 16/- for single men and from 12/- to 16/- for married men, with a 10 per cent, reduction in hours. T his is the highest minimum wage ever paid on public works in New Zealand or Australia. It is the first time that any Minister in any British Parliament has introduced on public works a 40-hour week which has been responsible for setting the level for all other employees throughout the country. ••The agreement provides for Maori workers being paid a wage equal to the pakeha’s wage. It also provides for those employed on public works for two vears to receive at Christmas time 14 da vs’ holiday on full pay and seven days on full pay for those who have been employed for 12 months. This is a new departure; such concessions have never been given before. In addition, there are many other concessions such as libraries in public works camps, better accommodation, better attention and a more liberal treatment in case of accident, while a sincere endeavour Is to be made to improve social life in the camps. Reception of Agreement.

“The agreement has met with enthusiastic and whole-hearted support all over the Dominion,” continued. Mr. Semple. "I have also received from one end of Australia to the other letters congratulating me and the Government on the treatment we have meted out to men on public works. Needless to say, 1 was astonished to read such an uncharitable, unreasonable and callous resolution. 1 cannot bring myself to believe that the rank and file of the men working on the job know anything about this, although they are certainly responsible for allowing it to go out m their name. . “However, the final clause in the agreement gives me the right to cancel all or part of it as it applies to any locality or to the whole of the Dominion, and although the terms of the agreement have not been violated by the Motueka branch, the branch certainly declares that it is of no value whatever to the workmen. In view of this fact, I am going to call on the men responsible for the writing of this resolution to show why the agreement should not be cancelled so far as they are concerned. I do not wish to force an agreement on anybody, particularly when it is repugnant to them, or detrimental to their interests. I have endeavoured to improve the conditions on public works, and it is my intention to «ontinue to do so. Every reasonable thinking person will realise that one cannot do everything in a few months, particularly when it comes to reorganising a national institution such as the Public Works Department. “If the Motueka men, therefore, want to go back on to the old scale they can do so. There are other resolutions that are offensive and untruthful, and I cannot imagine the state of mind of the individual responsible for drafting it. I will give the branch 14 days to show reasons why its members should remain parties to an agreement which they have condemned and attempted to ridicule, or whether they will go back on to the old rates operating before tho agreement came into existence. I am prepared to do all that one man can do to help the bona fide workers in my department to earn the maximum that they are physically able to do, but 1 am not going to tolerate unjustifiable abuse bv irresponsible individuals who seem determined to embarrass and obstruct the Government in its effort to play the game by the honest men, women and children of this country.