ROADSIDE GRASS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 143, 2 June 1936, Page 6

ROADSIDE GRASS

Mayor Replies to Labour Executive NO MEN DISMISSED Commenting upon the letter of the Hastings branch of the New Zealand Labour Party in yestciday's “Tribune’’ concerning the roadside grass-cutting contract let by the Hastings Borough Council, the Mayor, Mr. G. A. Aladdison, stated this morning that the statement that several men had been dismissed in consequence of the contract was quite contrary to fact. The work conducted in the past was usually casual, but the present undertaking was different and it was recognised by the council that not one of the permanent men on the staff would be affected by the contract Air. Aladuison mentioned that the grass-cutting operation in the past was done by casual labour and casual cartage, and now that this was no longer necessary the lorries could be employed doing other work which, in the past, had also been casual. As for the question of machinery, Mr. Maddison said that the council has not the machinery necessary for such work as the contract calls lor, and for the council to undertake the work, then it would be necessary to purchase machinery. “The council is in no way obliged to do anything towards assisting the contractor,” stated the Mayor, “and it is essential for the contractor to keep a diary of etery day’s work, so that an expeditious inspection can be made by the engineer before payment is made oy the council on the work done.” As regards the expression of opinion that local governing bodies should make every effort to assist in providing full-time employment, Mr. Maddison drew attention to the fact that the council had already assisted thousands of men who were out of work by finding work for them to do in the borough, and it was recognised that there was not a more highly developed borough than Hastings in this respect. “The council has expended a vast amount of money on municipal works that necessitated a great deal of labour,” commented His Worship.