BEARING THE MINISTER.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIII, Issue 32, 7 February 1907, Page 5

BEARING THE MINISTER.

A UNION'S PROTEST. INSPECTION OF SCAFFOLDING. Representatives of Lhe Building Trades' Labourers' Union waited on the Minister for Labour (Hon. J. A. Millar) last night to protest against the recent appointments to the positions of inspectors of scaffolding at the four centres. Three out of the four, it was stated, wero non-unionists, and so far as Wellington was concerned ihc union's recommendation had been ignored. Further, they contended that in some cap.es tho persons appointed had not the experience of scaffolding required by the Act, and, as one of the speakers sjad, they thought the Minister had not dealt "fair and square" with them, in the -matter. "Wo think it is an injustice, 'that we have been treated unfairly," eqid the president of the union (Mr. Lyorfi), and he added that the scaffolding >in some buildings around Wellington was not fit to call scaffolds, and urged that under such circumstances some one of long^ and practical experience at scaffolding should have been appoiiited. Further, he wanted to know how the union could ask the employers foe preference when the Government itself ignored the claims of unionists. The Minister, in replying, said he had received in all 130 applications "for the positions — forty oi them from Wellington — and his sole object was to appoint the men best qualified to fill the positions. No Government could ever be committed to the policy that unionists alone should receive employment; all sections of the community were, entitled to obtain employment from the Government, whether unionists or nonunionists. The Government were trustees for tho people as a whole, and aofc for any one particular section. Tie Minister then went carough. the papetrs relating to the appointments to show the care that had been taken to selad. the best men, and the qualifications they possessed. He made evory enquiry of them personally as to their experience, and their 'replies were in the direction of proving that they had the necessary experience That being so, he appointed them. He never asked a.' man whether he was a unionist or a non-nniomst ; as a Minister he could not do it. He was always, preparcsd to do this— that other things being equal ' a unjonist would get preference, »mt he would not ask a man to state in hif. applicatior whether he was -a uxmmisb { or a non-unionisu. ! The Minister, in jeply to a question, > said he had received the union's re~ ' commendation, which, of course, car-] ried a certain amount of weight, bub] he would not delegate to this union o*' any other organisation the power to J nominate a man for a position If hp, did- that, he would De a mere reco! i dinfj| machine for the union to appoint vrhoai, it pleased. He believed he was ap> J pointing ihe best men, after coasuha- . tion will) the oSHceK of his department. ' The men appointcor would be left in their positions until it was proved that they were not practical men. The Minister was subjected co a good deal of interruption from a memiber of tho deputation, Mr. Kennedy, Who for some time resisted all the eftorts of his 'colleagues to get him to keep quiet. At one time Mr. Millar threatened to close the deputation, Dut Mr Ken:iedy then kept quiet for a time, and the Minister, who exhibited remarkable patience, continued his reply. When, however, he asserted that the appDintees would be kept in their positions until it was proved that they were, not practical men r - Kennedy broke out again. "Your time is very short," he declared. "It may bo short," replied the Mm ister, "but while I am here T won't , accept dictation from any one outside this office as to whom 1 shall appoint and as to whom I shall dismiss 'Chey will remain in the positions until d, is •proved that they are not qualified for them When that happens I will uell them to go, but no one outside will tell aie to tell them to go. Mr Conchie. — We don't ask you. to dismiss any man. We simply erfeered our protest We have no aniraosity against these men — in fact, wo don't know them Mr. Kennedy. — isn't it a fact that all thess men are Freemasons ? AJ>> Conchie. — We didn t come here to insult you The Minister. — r am sure you would nuD do that. Mr. Conchie said they only wanted to' get the best man for the position. The deputation was quite satisfied with wie Minister's explanation. He apologised on behalf of ths deputation for remarks that had been made. At this stage Mr. Kennedy loft ihe room, saying — "You're a fraud as a Minister for Labour. You promised to do things which you have not done when you had the opportunity."