EMPLOYMENT ON TRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20243, 1 May 1929, Page 16

EMPLOYMENT ON TRAMS.

"NEW ZEALANDERS FIRST."

CLAIMS FOR PREFERENCE

TRANSPORT BOARD DEBATE. Claiming "preference for New Zcalanders," tlio New Zealanders' Association has written to tlio Auckland Transport Board asking whether it is intended "to follow the lead of the management under the City Council and still give proferenco to immigrants and ex-naval mon."

The letter states:—"We were told on a number of occasions that there was no preference shown, but from experience we found that the statement was not correct. Wo consider that our own people, who own tho tramways, should have tho privilege of working them, and that outsiders should not be employed while so many of our own are unemployed and in distress, as wo contend that there are just as good men among us as those imported, if not. better."

Tho manager, Mr. A. E. Ford, replied; "It has to bo understood that tlio suitability of an applicant for the work offering is the important thing, and while I feel 1 cannot directly state that preference will be given to New Zealanders, I can say that the spirit of your letter will be adopted." Reference to the Manager. The secretary of the New Zealanders' Association, Mr. C. E. Collins, wrote yesterday to the Transport Board as follows: "With all due respect to Mr. Ford, we know from previous experience his attitude in the matter. I cannot accept on behalf of my association a reply which to mv mind is only camouflage, and an effoit to evade the question. In addition to the request that preference should be given to New Zealanders, I would like to ask that more notice should be taken of complaints from the general public as to the civility of conductors toward passengers. I myself have had personal experience of same, and have reported to the inspectors, but the same tiling goes on day after day.

The chairman, Mr. J. A. C. 1 Allum, moved "that the letter be received, and the writer notified that in engaging staff the suitability of the applicant for the work offering is the primary consideration. that workers will not bo encouraged to come from outside the board s district, and consideration will be given to claims of workers living within or adjacent to the board's district."

Mr. E. H. Potter moved as an amendment that tho letter' should bo referred to the board-in-committec for discussion. "I do not like the tone of the association's complaint," remarked Mr. G. AshIcy, in suggesting that the portion of the letter referring to the manager should not be received. Oaso of Nine Inspectors. Mr. F. S. Morton said that on a recent occasion, when inspectors were being engaged for the tramways, of nine who were appointed only one was a New Zealander. New Zeaiandcrs who had given good service in the interests of the%board should not be cast aside to make place for newcomers. 'ln other countries similar organisations were staffed fully 80 per cent, with native-born employees, but in the case of the Auckland Transport Board it was the other way round. It was not his desire to turn away men who came to this country from Britain, but while there were competent New Zeaiandcrs offering llieir services they should be given preference.

The Chairman: We have heard a lot about New Zealanders, but who are they ? They are those who are born in this country, and also those who have made this country their domicile. Some of the remarks that have been made arc not only a reflection on a large number of our citizens, but also a reflection on their parents. I know it was not intended, but at the samo time the reflection is there. •As long as this board pays due regard to the claims of local people X do not care who the applicant is, as long as he is n Britisher. A Britisher ought to be able to go into any part of the Empire and have no aspersions cast upon him. Referring to the procedure of appointing inspectors, Mr. Allum added that any employee who considered his application for tho post had not been properly treated had the right to appeal. Engagement of Naval Men. "This trouble originated some time ago, when 30 men from the warships were appointed to positions with the City Council," said Mr. E. J. Phelan. "Great exception was taken at the time to tho fact that local residents had been overlooked. In my opinion, the citizens of Auckland should have prior claim over all others, and we should see that we give employment to those people who havo a stake in this country. I believe Hie Mount Eden Borough Council does that." Mr. A. J. - Entrican said the principle might be carried too far. Suppose the Auckland ; City Council decided to refuse employment to peoplo living outside the Auckland area, and excluded applicants for work residing in tho Mount Eden borough? Suitability must bo tho first consideration in engaging a staff; after that, preference might bo given to tlioso who had a stake in the area governed. Mr. J. Wood said that, as an employer of 37 years' standing, ho knew the first thing to bo asked was whether tho applicant was suitable for tho position. Tho chairman said that as far as tho naval men were concerned, representations wcro made to tho tramways department at the timo urging that a number of naval ratings who wero finishing their time should, in view of their extensive war service, bo given employment. As a general principle, however, preference would undoubtedly bo given to those applicants who resided in the board's district.

The amendment was lost, and the motion was carried.