FLOOD PROTECTION ON NGARURORO RIVER

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 150, 22 March 1938, Page 11

FLOOD PROTECTION ON NGARURORO RIVER

Board’s Proposals To Men

WORK MAY BE COMPLETED BY DEPARTMENT

Dominion Special Service.

Napier, March 21,

The hold-up in the Ngaruroro River flood protection works as the result of the dismissal of men employed by the Hawke’s Bay Rivers Board following a dispute with the men’s unions was considered at a special meeting of the rivers board to-day. At the conclusion of the meeting, which was held in committee, the following statement was made:—

“At the outcome of the meeting it has been decided that as the board considers its contracts with the men are valid, as held by the court, and that it is only possible for the board to carry out these works in the manner hitherto adopted under the contract system, the board resolves that the board’s representatives meet the men'concerned and place before them the following proposals: First, that the men arrange for the union to withdraw its appeals against the magistrate’s decision in the recent court actions; secondly, that conditionally on these appeals being withdrawn and the Arbitration Court consenting to this,' line of action the board negotiate fresh contracts with the men; thirdly, that if the men.are unable to carry out the foregoing proposals the. board will have no option other than to negotiate with the Minister to have the work completed by machinery as suggested.” The meeting also discussed a letter from the union suggesting that the board should contract with the union, but the board’s solicitor advised that the union had no power to make a contract to carry out any works at all.

Minister’s Proposal. • The meeting also considered the following letter from the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple: “With reference to the discussion we had last Saturday at Napier concerning the difficulties you have experienced with regard to labour on your river protection works, and your request that the Publie Works Department might hire your board machinery with which to complete the stop-banking work, it would seem to me a better proposal for the Public Works Department to take over the whole work and complete it with mechanical plant. The financial arrangement for the work would, of course, stand as at present, your board paying to the department its share byway of progress payments as the work proceeds. “I should be glad if you would consider this proposal and advise me whether your board is prepared to accept it. If it is details of taking over the work can be discussed fully with your board by the engineer in charge.”