ANOTHER LITTLE RIFT

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 14

ANOTHER LITTLE RIFT

ECONOMY MEASURE IN HOUSING DEPARTMENT 350 OF 500 MEN DISMISSED OFFERED JOBS ON PUBLIC WORKS [l'er United Uhess Association.) AUCKLAND, July 20. Described officially as an economy and reorganisation measure, approximately 550 out of the 500 men employed on clearing, development, and masonry work, together with a few carpenters, are being dismissed by the State Housing Department in Auckland, and are being offered work elsewhere, chiefly with the Public Works Department. Already over 100 have been dismissed, and the services of tho remainder will be dispensed with during the next three or four weeks. The strong dissatisfaction among the men at the Housing Department’s action had its result in a stop-work meeting in the Trades Hall this morning, when from 8 o’clock until 11 about 500 employees discussed the position. One of the chief causes of complaint was that the work offered under the Public Works Department was at a rate lower than that which the men have been receiving. Eventually two delegates were appointed to interview the _ Prime Minister (Mr Savage) at Wellington, with a view to having the men retained in the Housing Department’s employ. “ The dismissals are being made contingent on the point that no man will be put off without an opportunity of transferring to other work, chiefly concerned with Public Works Department operations,” said Mr 11. L. M‘Phail. head of the Housing Construction Department at Auckland, when commenting upon the question. Some time might elapse before all the proposed transfers were made, but in the meantime tho men concerned would be retained by the department. It was also hoped to find work for a limited number of men through tho efforts of the locfll placement officer. . ‘ Mr M'Phail said that practically all the men concerned had been employed on clearing, preparing, and fencing house sites. So well had many sites been prepared in the past that the incoming tenants were able to start planting after a minimum of extra effort. Now it was intended to curtail this work and to restrict the breaking in of sections to the .bare essentials. Work for both married and single men was being offered under the Public Works Department at Hqbsouville, while it was proposed that single men mainly should be engaged on work under the same department at Munwai. Mr M'Phail admitted that the payment under the Public Works Departtnent was on a different basis to that under the Housing Construction Department. and was on a lower scale. Although Air M'Phail did not make tho point, it is understood that the department is tightening its'control in an endeavour to reduce costs now met from its own funds, but which previously came from the Employment Promotion Fund. Those who attended tho stop-work meeting included a largo number who have already been dismissed. Apart from a comparatively few members of the Stonemasons’ Union, all belonged to the New Zealand Workers’ Union. It was not, however, an official union meeting. From made it is apparent that many men will refuse to accept engagement on the Public Works Department jobs offering. The complaint was made that only £4 a week was being offered, whereas they have been receiving £4 17s 6d a week, including Ss 4d a week transport allowance. If they went to Hobsonville or Muriwai they would have to provide their own transport and.food, and after deducting social security tax little would be left on which to live. I'or the married men who would have to keep two homes going the position would be extremely difficult. It was stated that a certain amount of criticism, was also levelled at the Government on account of the allegedly excessive administration costs within the Housing Construction Department. ■ Tho delegates appointed to see Mr Savage will proceed to Wellington immediately.