PUBLIC WORKS

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 73, 30 March 1929, Page 7

PUBLIC WORKS

MINISTER AND THE MEN

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

DANNEVIRKE, This Day.

Replying to Mr. A. J. Cook, the secretary of the Now Zealand Workers' "Union, the Hou. E. A. Ransom (Minister of Public Works), in a statement to the "News," said that ho always gave the men on tho public works an opportunity to voice complaints and invited the men at all times to meet him and bring grievances before him. He made this an open invitation, and ample opportunity would bo afforded men desirous of meeting him to leave their •work without any disadvantage to themselves. Mr. Ransom did not agree with Mr. Cook's allegations that 99 per cent, of the men on public works were dissatisfied. Dealing particularly with Mr. Cook s statement that some of the best and most experienced construction workers on the Warkworth-Wellsford inaiu highway could not make 10s a day, Mr. Ransom said he expected to be in that district within the next few weeks, ■when, ho would be very pleased to inspect the work and meet any of the men who cared to approach him. If it could be shown that the average workers were not earning more than 10s a day, he would be very pleased to go into the reasons why, and see if it could not bo remedied.

Regarding Mr. Cook's statement that lie could prove his charges, Mr. Ransom said: "I will willingly afford him every opportunity of proving his statements, and invite him to supply mo with 'specific cases bearing out his contentions. I will very carefully investigate every one submitted to mo, and give liim a reply to each one! Further, I shall lie particularly pleased to confer with Mr. Cook on my return to Wellington and arrange with him the inyestigation I have suggested. For his information I will be returning to. Wellington on Tuesday, and shall be at my (office on Wednesday morning."

The Minister further remarked that JMr. Cook had entirely misrepresented jtho position regarding tho non-employ-tnent on public works of men who had refused positions on farms. Mr. Ranfeom explained that it had applied to jnen whoso previous experience as farm labourers fitted them for farm work.