ORDERS ON WAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20602, 28 June 1930, Page 16

ORDERS ON WAGES.

SYSTEM BEING CONTINUED. INSISTENCE ON FORMALITIES. RULING BY MINISTER. "It appears that a considerable fuss has been made with vory little justification," said Mr. W. Wallace, chairman of tho Auckland Hospital Board, yesterday when announcing a reply from Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., regarding the alleged stoppage by tho Public Works Department of the system of orders on pay which enabled tho men engaged on relief work in the Papakura district to obtain credit from storekeepers and caterers. A deputation from tho relief workers' camps informed tho relief committee of the Hospital Board on Thursday that tho order system was being stopped as from yesterday and that tho effect would be, unless a remedy were found, «that 285 men in tho seven camps would bo unable to obtain the means of subsistence and would bo compelled to return to tho city, where they would add to the difficulties beinpr caused by lack of employment. Acting on this I information, tho committee made urgent representations by telegram to tho Prime Minister, the Minister of Public Works and Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P., who is a member of tho committee.

The Minister of Public Works, tho Hon. W. B. Tavorner, telegraphed in reply that ho did not understand the reference to a community cookhouse, which it was stated would be discontinued, but that tho matter was being inquired into urgently. The usual practice was for tho union to control tho cookhouses, tho department simply providing tho buildings. In caso any man could not obtain credit he could give an order on his pay in favour of a storekeeper for a specified nmount This applied particularly to new men arriving at tho works. ' , •

Further light was thrown on the matter yesterday when Mr. Savage telegraphed that he had been advised from tho Minister's office that the only difference being made was that men requiring credit must sign an order in favour of the storekeeper concerned. That had not been done in the past and tho department had been acting without authority. Ho was assured that these orders would bo guaranteed as be.foro, Mr. Wallaco said that from Mr. Savage's telegram it appeared that in tho past tho formality of having the orders actually signed by tho men concerned had been neglected. Now this procedure was to be enforced, but it,was not clear why the difficulty outlined by the deputation had arisen. .

On inquiry being made at the district office of tho Public Works Department, it was stated that all the men wero at work yesterday—tho day it was understood credit would expire. No statement as to the eonditions under which tho men wero now working was made.