Overseas Builders Not Promised Overtime

Northern Advocate, 17 March 1939, Page 5

Overseas Builders Not Promised Overtime

[Per Press Association. Copyright .]

WELLINGTON, This Day

A copy of the agreement which has been signed by building tradesmen engaged in Australia for employment on the State housing scheme in New Zealand was made available to the press by the Minister of Housing, the Hon. H. T. Armstrong, last evening.

The Minister said his chief reason for doing ■ this was to refute questions that these men had been promised overtime ranging up to 10 hours a week. There was no mention of overtime in the agreement. Provisions of Agreement

The agreement states that in consideration of an advance from the agent of the New Zealand Government by way of a loan or part loan, for the passage money from Austsalia to New Zealand, the recipient undertakes to repay the loan to the Department of Labour in instalments of 10/a week.

Repayment is to start with the second week's employment. During the first 12 months after his arrival in New Zealand, the recipient undertakes to work on State housing contracts at the rates of pay prescribed in the relevant award or industrial agreement. Mr. Armstrong said a statement had been made that Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., had promised the men he had engaged that they would be able to obtain anything up to ten hours of overtime a week over and above the normal working week.

Obviation of Overtime

“I am quite satisfied that Mr. Hodgens said nothing of the sort.” said' the Minister.

“Certainly, a good deal of overtime is worked in the building industry, but there was certainly no promise of overtime to the men engaged in Australia.

“I should imagine the reason we are getting the men here is to avoid overtime as much as possible. “We know there are times just now when it is often necessary and desirable for skilled artisans to work overtime. but the ultimate object is to do away with the necessity for it, and not to perpetuate it." The graziers’ conference in Sydney decided to recommend that the Graziers’ Federal Council ask the Federal Government to grant a subsidy on wool of Id a lb., when the average selling price in the Commonwealth for the year falls below 1. - a lb.

ROBBERS ARRESTED. From the North Capo to ibo iilnfl, robbery of health and fitness has horn (•hooked bv Pnbyonas —t bo quick robot pastilles for coughs. colds, 'tin. When dissolved in the month the vapours from Pulmonas swoop right through the breathing system and destroy nil germs. Carry Pulmonas. Only 1/-, l/'i, 2/C. All Chemists and Stores. ■ S 4