Semple Takes Gloves Off

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 1423, 19 June 1936, Page 7

Semple Takes Gloves Off

“Uncharitable, Unreasonable And Callous” ULTIMATUM TO MOTUEKA MALCONTENTS / , X J cr Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. A vigorous reply was made to-day by the Minister of Public Works (Hon. It. Semple) to a Series of resolutions carried by the Motueka branch of the New Zealand Workers’ Union in condemnation generally of the now public works agreement. One of the resolutions expressed complcto lack of confidence in the general secretary of the union (Mr. A. Cook) ■ regarding his action in signing “such a document as Mr. Semple’s so-called agreement in view of the fact that the agreement is of no advantage to the workers who wero 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 that the agreement without doubt is the best public works agreement in the British Empire, if not in the world. Tho minimum wage has been lifted from Os to ICs for single men aud 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 bceu responsible for setting a level for nil other employees througnout the country.

“Tho agreement also provides for Maori workers being paid a wage equal to the pakcha’s wage. It also provides for those employed iu public works for two years to receive at Christmas time 14 days’ holidays on full pay ana seven days on full pay for those who have been employed for 12 montlis. This is a new .departure. Such concessions have never been given before. In addition there arc many other concessions such as libraries in public works camps, better accommodation, better attention and more liberal treatment in cases ol accident, while a sincere endeavour is to be made to improve the social life in .camps.

“The agreement has met with enthusiastic and wholehearted support all ever the Dominion,” continued Mr. Semple. “I have also received from ouo end of Australia to tho other letters congratulating me and the Government on the treatment we nave meted out to the men on public works. Needless to say I was astonished to read euen an uncharitable, unreasonable ana callous resolution. I cannot bring myself to believe the rank aud file of the men working on the job know anything about this although they arc certainly responsible for allowing it to go out iu their name.

“However, the final clause iu the agreement gives me the right to cancel all or part of it as 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, the branch certainly declares that it is of no value whatever to the workmen. i In view of this fact I am going to call on the men responsible for the writing of this resolution to show why the agreement should not be cancelled so far as they are concerned,. I do not wish to force the agreement on anybody, particularly when it is repugnant to them or detrimental to their interests.

■ “I havo endeavoured to try aud 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 mouths, particularly when it comes to reorganising a national institution such as the Public Works Department. If the Motueka men therefore 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 the individual responsible for drafting it. I will give the branch 1-i days to show reasons why its members should remain parties to the agreement which they have condemned and attempted to ridicule or whether they will go back on to the old rates operating before the agreement came into existence. I am prepared to do all that one mail can ill to help the bona fide workers in my department to earn the maximum they arc physically able to do, but I am not goiug to tolerate unjustifiable abuse by

irresponsible individuals who 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.’