SEMPLE TAKES GLOVES OFF.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 19 June 1936, Page 3

SEMPLE TAKES GLOVES OFF.

“UNCHARITABLE, UNREASONABLE i AND CALLOUS.” ULTIMATUM TO MOTUEKA MALCONTENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Last Night. A vigorous reply was made to-day by the Minister of Public Works (Hon. K. Semple) to a series of resolutions carried by the Motucka branch of the New Zealand Workers' Union in condemnation generally of the new public works agreement. One of the resolutions expressed complete lack of confidence in ,the general secretary of the union (Mr. A. Cook) regarding his action in signing 1 ‘ such a document as Mr. Semple’s so-called agreement m view of the fact that the agreement is of no advantage to the workers who were responsible for Mr. Semple’s elevation to Ministerial rank.” “I do not intend to allow such a resolution to go unchallenged,” said the Minister, ‘‘in view of the fact tiiat the agreement without doubt is the best public works agreement in the British Empire, if not in the world. The minimum wage has been lilted from 9s to lbs for single men and from 12s to His for married men with a 10 per cent, reduction in hours. This is the highest minimum wage ever paid on public works in New Zealand or Australia. It is the first time any Minister in any British Parliament has introduced in public works a 40-hour week which has been responsible for setting a level for all other employees tlirougnout the country. “ The agreement also provides for Maori workers being paid a wage equal to the pakeha’s wage. It also provides for those employed in public works for two years to receive at Christmas time 14 days’ holidays on full pay ana seven days on. lull pay for those who have been employed for .12 months. This is a new departure. .Such concessions have never been given before. In addition there are many other concessions such us libraries in public works camps, better accommodation, better attention and more liberal treatment in cases of accident, while a sincere endeavour is to be made to improve the social life in camps.

“The agreement has met with enthusiastic aud wholehearted support all over the Dominion,'’ continued Mr. Keraple. “I have also received from one end of Australia to the other letters congratulating me aud the Government on the treatment we nave meied out to the men on public works. Needless to say 1 was astonished to read *ucii an uncharitable, uiireasouaiae anu callous resolution. 1 cannot bring myself to believe the rank aud file of the men working on the job know anything about this although they are certainly responsible for allowing it to go out m their name. “However, the final clause in the agreement gives mo the right to cancel all or part of it us it applies to any locality or to the whole of the Dominion, and although the terms of the agreement have not been violated by the Motueka branch, tho branch certainly declares that it is of no value whatever to tne workmen. In view ol this latr 1 am going to call ou the men responsiule for the writing of this resolution to show why the agreement should not be cancelled so far as they are concerned. 1 do not wish to force the agreement ou anybody, particularly when it is repugnant to them or aeinmental to their interests.

“1 have endeavoured to try and improve the conditions on public works and it. is my intention to continue to do so. Every reasonable thinking person will realise that one cannot do everything in a few months, particularly when it comes to reorganising a national institution such as the Public Works Department. If the Motueka men the ret ore want to go back to the old scale they can do so. “There are other resolutions that are offensive and untruthful and I cannot imagine the state of mind of tiie individual responsible for drafting it. 1 will give the branch .14 days to show reasons why its members should remain parties to the agreement which they have condemned and attempted to rid.cule or whether they will go back on tc the old rates operating before tin* agreement came into existence. 1 air prepared to do all that one man can d 4 to help the bona fide workers in niy r department to earn the maximum they arc physically able to do, but I am not going to tolerate unjustifiable abuse by irresponsible individuals seem to be determined to embarrass and obstruct the Government in its efforts to play the game by the honest men, women and children of this country.’’