WORKING CONDITIONS OF DAY MEN REVIEWED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7084, 5 December 1929, Page 8

WORKING CONDITIONS OF DAY MEN REVIEWED

By Manawatu Drainage Boarc

MEN REINSTATED AND OTHER WORK PROMISED

A meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board was held yesterday, Mr D. Prouse prosiding. There were also presenfc.Messrs F. J. Bussell, W.-E. Thomas P. G.'Mildon ,D. Collis, A. AV. Hamlin and B. Tanner

.The chairman stated that as the daymen had boon put off until that day this matter had to ,bc considered, first. The conditions leading ,up to . such action was reviewed and the arrangements made for the future briefly outlined. Each member of the board then gave-his personal views on the matter, it being general consensus of the opinion that the men should never, have boon, put ,off as there was plenty of work to bp done and an adequate supply/of money to carry on. /Mr Collis disassociated himself with the action taken by the chairman in putting off the four men-for three days. (Mr Mildon then expressed the opinion that- the chairman had exceeded his duty'in having taken matters into his own hands for the dismissal of the men.' .<

The foreman, who was present at tho meeting, ’then outlined the. work done and the position that had arisen. .-(/.Mr Mildon then moved that the men iec6ive .payment for the time lost, this being seconded by Mr Collis and carried. •» ; •

In' regard to the question of keeping the day-men in employment Mr Mildon ’s questioning elicited the information ’that' a sum was still available lor expenditure. It was a matter of carrying- ‘this sum over until next year or usihg it for drainage work.;' ■ .Mr Tanner declared that, owing to the' 'fket 1 that Christmas-was/so near and /that *'thte unemployment problem was still a serious one, he did hot think it - would be wise for the board tp put the men off. ,

"Mr Thomas then expressed the opinion that, contract work was more satisfactory than day-labour, but it was shown by the discussion that the board’s experience had been better on the present basis. It was eventually decided, on the motion of Mr Hamlin, thatvthe. day-men be reinstated and that a .commencement be made, -firstly ; on the clearing of slips in Burke’s drain, and 'secondly, on ’improvements to that section of SVhi-skey creek through Mr Tanner’s .property. \ ■ ; position ■ will be - further considered .at ho next meeting. . ..

.>/.5i: V Overseer’s Report. Thfe overseer, Mr •J, Goman, reported that seven chains of protection work had been completed in the Man-'gaW'-on Mr Bussell’s property and that of -the Government. This had cost '£T5 v l2s' 6d. Three chains •of stopbank had' behn/completed deviation government - property. The men had also’ put'in three days in Burke’s drain, fjgKading)-and clearing slips. The bullocks wfrei doing good work in the 'main/drain'. Under instructions from Ithe/chairinaii tho men had ceased work Until ‘further 'orders. —The ■ report was, '/que,stiori of continuing a stop-' bafiii V bfi’to’ a property adjacent to.i.the railway de'vl&tien was brought forward by Mirs Mandexson, who .waited on the board/’’;After hearing the- case the Members ' resolved to visit the proporty during. that afternoon.-' Mr Tuttle .also whited bn the board in regard to drainage Matters and it was also resolved to inspeet this property. Mildon, Collis, Prouse, and the' engineer, Mr Wright, were appointed; a committee to consider", for approv-al--the'plans of the'new bridge over the Mhngaone, 'to be erected by the Palmerston North Borough Council. A report on a. meeting held the previous evening by settlers interested in iM-proving the outlet at the lower end of the district was reviewed by Mr Milton, who said that it had been decided ta form a special rating area, and spend £6OOO, on tiho work, provided the Government .and the Drainage Board contributed' its subsidies. The scheme was .on/e anid would - bring a most beneficial effect to the lower area. -.lt :was resolved after considerable discussion to consider the matter further at the next meeting.' There is, however, a possibility that specua niecting may be held about December

s t - ' 'V : ' V • //The next regular meeting was fixed ftjr January 20, 1930. / . :