Relief Workers Withdrawn From Local Bodies

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 11, 14 January 1936, Page 8

Relief Workers Withdrawn From Local Bodies

MAY BE RE-ENGAGED IF APPLICATIONS APPROVED.

MANAWATU BOARD CONSIDERS SUBSIDISED LABOUR.

At tho meeting of the Manawatu Drainage Board yesterday, it was announced that on December 21 last, advice was received that tho unemployed men-' who had been engaged on the board’s work were to be placed on sustenance. Owing to the overseer going on leave before this advice reached him through the clerk, he w r as not aware of this position until his return, and so far had not been able to make much progress with cleaning operations. “Have we any men at present besides the overseer?” queried a board member.

The reply was: “One.” The letter from Mr W. ,H. Cadwallader stated: “To enable me to place the operations of scheme 5 on a proper basis, I have to advise that as from the week ending December 21, the men previously allotted to you have been temporarily withdrawn. The reengagement of scheme 5 labour is subject to approval upon receipt of a formal application. In order that no undue delay may take place, I will be pleased if you will arrange the necessary application at an early date, bearing in mind that such labour will again be available in tho week ending January 11. Tho chairman said the letter was a circular ono that had gone to all local bodies in the district. The No. 5 scheme was practically stopped. He had approached Mr Cadwallader, pointing out the board’s need, and that although tho work was not definitely constructive, it was extraordinary maintenance, as the drain had not been, cleaned last autumn, and there was two or three feet of silt to be shifted. The work would occupy 20 men for several months on the old basis.

Tho formal application had been sen'c to the Unemployment Board in Wellington, but no reply was yet received, said Mr Mildon.

The certifying officer had asked what would be the board’s attitude in tho event of it being refused labour on the old basis, to a subsidy scheme, the Unemployment Board providing 35s a week and .the Drainage Board making the pay up to five days a week. “We might consider that for 10 men, but not for 20,” said Mr Mildon. “We have £SO a month to spend on subsidised labour. It would cost. 27s Gd a -week per man t.o make their job up to five days a week. The overseer, Mr M. Wilson, commented that the Unemployment Board was apparently reluctant to have men engaged again at two or three days a week.

“It does not look very hopeful,” said Trusteo R. Tanner, and members agreed, though realising that the board had been very fortunate in the past in the assistance it. had received from unemployed labour. Question of Machinery.

Mr Tanner: If it is going to be difficult to get men, we will have to look round and see if we can get machinery to do this work for us. We may have to raise the rates before long. The position is not clear, but we will shortly know what the Government is going to do as regards labour.” “They want, to get men working five days a week, ” said the overseer. ‘ ‘That is a 40-hour week, and is apparently what we must be prepared for,” said Trustee Tanner. It was decided to write to the unemployment officer requesting as speedy a reply as possible, as the board’s work is contingent on what labour provision it is compelled to make. Peculiarly enough, Mr S. H. Lett, who approached the board later with a deputation, and unaware of the previous discussion in the meeting, expressed the opinion that the board's present method of cleaning drains was not the best. “Mr Semple has told us Ave must have more efficient machinery, and I think the board could make a far better and far cheaper job of its cleaning of the main drain and Burke’s drain. If the board purchased a small dredge, it could clean chains and chains a day, throwing the stuff right clear instead of leaving it on the sides, as is often the case at present. Two men, instead oi 20 or 30, could probably attend to the whole job.” Mr Lett said he had seen a dredge doing similar cleaning work in the Waikato, and apparently doing it most efficiently.