PUBLIC WORKS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 4

PUBLIC WORKS

POLICY OF MINISTER IMPROVEMENT IN WORKING CONDITIONS LBy Telegraph—Press Association! WELLINGTON, This Day. Discussing important points of his policy lie proposes to adopt in connection with Public Works, the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of Public Works, said : “The conditions which exist to-day in the public works of this country are entirely unsatisfactory, from the point of view of both the men employed and the Department which controls them. Under the present system, efficient and proper control by the Department and satisfactory employment on the part of the men are impossible. A change must and will be made without delay. No great alteration, is possible until Parliament meets, but preliminary steps are already in hand. “I propose at the earliest possible moment to abolish relief works from the operations of this Department. If a job is worth handling by the Public Works Department, it should be handled as a standard job with the most efficient machinery and appliances, and at a decent rate of pay. The wheelbarrow—only one stage better than the wooden plough—lias to go, and we cannot see tile end of such obsolete methods too soon. “The Public Works Department is a solid, efficient organisation'ready and anxious to function efficiently. It will now be given its chance to prove its worth I am determined to L'uild up on our public works in due course a team of workers who, by reason of fair treatment and decent condi* tions, will be proud to take their part in building New Zealand; all they need is the incentive to work, decent conditions, and a proper or* ganisation to work under, “Arrangements have been made for representatives of the Department to confer now with representatives of the New Zealand Workers’ Union, and to l prepare for the approval of the Government an agreement which will be satisfactory both to the Department and the . men. This agreement will then become the basis of conditions generally on all Public Works throughout New Zealand. It will provide for a decent and reasonable rate of pay—what that rate of pay shall be is now being discussed between 'the Department and the union officials. It will also cover the questions of ac- . commodation, holiday privileges, and . working conditions generally. It will provide for equal pay for married and single men, equal pay for both Maori and pakelia, and the adoption as a. principle of the co-operative contract system. ' THE 40-HOUR WEEK “The adoption of a 40-hour working week on Public Works has been fully discussed by Cabinet, and my colleagues are in entire agreement with me that it should be adopted. The new agreement will provide accordingly. 1 am satisfied that it will make for efficiency. It will spread the task,.and will enable more men to be employed, and it will mean that the men will be in better condition for their work. The 40-hour, working week has been discussed all over the world during recent years. ■ “The new Government is unanimous on the question. We have got tlm opportunity to institute it in New Zealand, and we will institute it without any more talking about it. =• “Finally,’’ said the Minister, “my object and rhy-determination-are to organise the Public Works .Department and its employees into an efficient and capable concern, to provide decent and reasonable conditions both in the way of accommodation ancl pay, and to provide the means by which all grievances can be expeditiously and reasonably handled* in order that our common aim of building this fair country may be facilitated. With the co-operation of the Department and the men, I can do it, and I will.”

> RATE OF PAY QUESTION UNDER CONSIDERATION WELLINGTON, This Day. It is officially stated that there are 13,750 men employed at present on public works throughout New Zealand. The total includes no fewer than 8500 relief workers. The standard rate of pay for single men is nine shillings a day. In the pre-depression period the highest standard wage paid on public works was fourteen shillings a day. Asked yesterday what standard wage was likely to be paid for a 40-hour week, the Minister, the Hon. R. Semple, said the question was under consideration'and that an announcement would be made within a few days.