GRIEVANCE VOICED

Northern Advocate, 7 November 1932, Page 2

GRIEVANCE VOICED

LABOUR OFFICE CONDUCT. MINISTER TAKES A HAND. fErom Our Parliamentary Special.) AYE LIVING TON, SM unlay. Complaints of discourtesy at the Auckland office of the Labour Department were renewed by Mr M. J. SaA’age (Labour, Auckland AVest) in the House of ‘Representatives yesterday. Mr Sovage complained of relief workers’ pay for Labour Day being held up, and asked for immediate action to bo taken. He also Avanted to knoAV whether members of Parliament could not get copies of the conditions goA’eruing relief workers and the schedules of pay. He wanted to know whether members of Parliament Avere to*aet as the fifth Avlieel to the coach ‘while persons responsible to no one Avere playing about Avith the situation.

“ It is not 100 much to ask for civility from the Auckland Labour office,” continued Air Savage. He explained that he did not. worry the office much, but Avhen he telephoned for informa, tion he was refused, aaid Avhen he asked for the head of the department the

:ecei\'er avus slammed on the telephono. The only satisfaction he ‘got Avhen lie complained to the Alinister was that the official Avas renowned for his courtesy. It avus the first time since he had been in the House that, his word had nol been taken by a Minister. Generally speaking, lie received conrtesv from Alinisters, pri vate secretaries, and heads of departments, but he suggested that the sooner there Avas some investigation into conditions ruling in the Auckland office the better it would be for the Unemployment Fund. A good deal of discourtesy and lack of ability were, in evidence there and many unemployed Avere afraid to go to the office. Replying to Air Savage, the Hon. A. Hamilton said he Avas sorry if any discourtesy Avas shown, because there was no member in the House one would like to see discourtesy extended to less Ilian to Air Savage. Air A. S. Richards (Labour, Roskill): “Tim complaint of disemntesy in that ollice is quite prevalent.”

The Alinister said serious notice had been taken of the complaint at the time, and lie was sure Air Savage Avonld not liua'C the same cause for complaint in the future. Air AV. .1. Jordan (Labour, Afamikau): “It is a general complaint.”

’The Alinister said if any difficulty arose in future he Avould give, it attention. ’There Avas no reason Avhy there should be discourtesy. Air Jordan: “They treat the unemployed like cattle.”

Air Richards: “Two men want shift ing. ’ ’