Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6th., 1936. PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES.

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 February 1936, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 6th., 1936. PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES.

THE Minister of Public Works (Hon. R. Semple) may be strong but he is certainly not silent. No other member of the Labour Cabinet talks so much about what he is going to do, and if he achieves his proclaimed objects, he will, indeed, render great national service. His speeches are rarely of the kid-gloved variety, and he has little hesitation in saying what he thinks, a Ministerial innovation that has its advantages, as well as its defects. Mr. Semple is impressed with the importance of his office, and takes both his task and himself seriously. Time will prove if he is what his friends declare him to be; one of the greatest Ministers of Public Works, this country has

yet possessed. Mr. Semple’s comments are notable in one respect, and that is his stra ight-from-the-,shoulder intimations to those employed on Public Works that they must give of their host. Had he said half as much in this direction, when he was in Opposition, he would have been a benefactor to the then Government and the country. That is by lhe way. To-day, he has the responsibilities of office, and he is frank in telling employees that I hey must give full value for the wages paid to them. Such policy was attempted in Mr. Coates’s day, but there was much Labour indig-

nation expressed when strong action was taken against the mon. Mr. Semple may be more Fortunate. Under Labour administration, all workers may be filled with a desire to give of their best, on Public Works contracts, but human nature being what it is, too much should not be expected, meanwhile. The conditions of employment are to be improved, and, generally, en- (

gagement by the Public Works De-

partment may prove so attractive, that there will be a rush to enrol, and other industries, particularly farming, may be left lamenting.

One innovation Mr. Semple is making is that compelling all who seek employment on Public Works, Io join the New Zealand Workers’ Union. Tn theory, there is much to support the wisdom of this form of compulsory unionism. It is well that there should be a. really representative organisation to speak for the employed and so long as harmony prevails between union and Minister, and among the members, themselves, the one big union arrangement should work well. The history of trades unions, however, tells of many such J organisations starting with the best of intentions, but ending in. disaster, through; internal envies and dissensions, or through becoming so strong as to be tempted to defy the Government. It is to be hoped that Mr. Semple’s new “monster” will prove always as amenable as he secUns to expect. His declaration of war on Communists, or ultra-Red organisations, will be welcomed by Labour and Nationalist supporters, alike. His advocacy of the fullest use of mechanical apparatus, and extension of the co-operative contract system, are not items that will be unanimously approved by unionists, but the principle of this' policy will be upheld by the country, generally. Mr- Semple qualifies the optimism outlined by his comments on his Public Works policy, by reminding the impatient that time and money are necessary before the promised reforms can be obtained. This qualification should not be dismissed as insignificant, by the expectant.