WET WEATHER

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1937, Page 5

WET WEATHER

EFFECT ON PUBLIC WORKS

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION I .']

WELLINGTON, March 12

Many men on public works are finding difficulty in earning wages equal to, Busfenanee rates. This snomriions handicap has been experienced to an acute extent in the Southland district this year because of a Rmg ’ spelT ‘bl abnormally wet weather. A heavy loss of working time has caused economic hardship for a fairly large number of men in road * construction camps, and the problem has been submitted to the Public Works Department by Messrs T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., and W. M. Denham, M.P., who made a special visit to Wellington this week to make a plea on behalf of more than 50 men employed on a road deviation in the Gore district. A new road is being constructed on peat ground in a much exposed position, and because of continuously bad weather, more like that oi a wet Winter than Summer, the men have suffered much broken time. Indeed, it is stated that the earnings of several have been only very little better than the sustenance rates paid to unemployed men in a. comfortable environment. This is considered by the. men who have taken rough, work in outbhekh places to ■ be’ unfair.’ ‘’’ ’’’' '' Messrs Doyle and Denham, in discussing the problem from the men's point of view, suggested to Departmental officials that something should he done for the workers who, through no fault of their own, could not. obtain a. living wage although willing to work hard, and they mentioned the possibility of fixing a- minimum wage to meet, the extraordinary circumstances.

The question will be submitted to the Minister for Public "Works (Hon. R. Semple).