HOUSING STAFF

Evening Star, Issue 23270, 19 May 1939, Page 4

HOUSING STAFF

INQUIRY FOLLOWS STOP-WORK MEETING DISCIPLINARY MEASURES AGAINST SOME EMPLOYEES [Peu United Pkess Association.] AUCKLAND, May. 18. As a result of certain incidents involving the staff of the Housing Construction Department in Auckland, an inquiry was held to-day by Mr T. Mark, Public Service Commissioner, who said that disciplinary action would be taken against certain employees. The nature of the action and the number concerned has not been revealed. The inquiry was the sequel to stopwork meetings held by members of the staff, who criticised the organisation of the department. Telegrams were despatched to the Minister of Housing (Mr Armstrong) on the subject, and he was requested to come to Auckland and make an investigation. The action of the men was described as highly irregular by the Minister, when interviewed several days ago. Ho said that a serious broach of the Public Service regulations had been committed, and that the whole matter was being handed over to the Public Service Commissioner. Subpoenas to attend the inquiry were served on members of the staff, Mr Mark said that the entire matter was of a domestic nature, and he would not disclose the specific grounds on which disciplinary action was to be taken.

After a tour of the northern districts, Mr Armstrong returned to Aucldand to-night. He made no further comment upon the matter, as he had had no opportunity for consultation with Mr Mark.