WHEN TRADE IMPROVES

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 23, 27 July 1933, Page 18

WHEN TRADE IMPROVES

EMPLOYEES WILL BENEFIT

HARBOUR BOARD DISCUSSION

A proposal that the Harbour Board should consider doing away with the present stand-down week for casual employees was advanced by Mr. R. Semple, M.P.. at last night's meeting of the board, and the chairman (Mr. C. M. Turrcll) gave an assurance that the employees would benefit from any improvement in the general trade outlook.

. Mr. Semple asked' if, in view of the fact that in a good many countries of the world it had been realised that it was essential that wages should be restored 'to their former level in order to increase purchasing power, the board would be i epared to consider restoration to casual workers of the work which they had lost. There were a number of casual employees who were being stood down one week in five. Would the board consider getting rid of that stand-down week and thus place' Casual men back into normal employment? The chairman said that as soon a* the board was in a position to do as Mr. Semple had suggested it would gladly do so. ■ The stand-down week only operated because of the general economic conditions. If normal conditions returned ' the employees would benefit. It was 'better under existing conditions to spread the work round than to get rid of a large numbrr of men.

' Mr. Semple: I think we ought to try to create normal conditions in our

own country. We have to get back to that point. I think it depends on ourselves to a large extent. The sooner we make a start somewhere in New Zealand the better, and I think this board Would certainly show an example if it started in the direction I have suggested. '

Mr. Turrcll: All the indications are for bettor trade and better values for outproduce. As better conditions return the board will be in a^ position to reinstate its employees.

Mr. Semple: Then there is quite a hopeful chance of its being done?

Mr. Turrell: Quite a hopeful chance.