PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21132, 15 March 1932, Page 8

PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

NECESSARY ECONOMIES. HEAVY STAFF DISMISSALS. TOTAL OF 5000 MEN. 7000 REMAIN ON RELIEF BASIS. ['BY TELEGRArn. —SPECIAL BEPORTEn.] WELLINGTON, Monday. Approximately 2000 men will have been dismissed from the Public Works Department staff by tlie end of this week, I his being the first large economy move in accordance with the recent statement made by tho Minister of Public Works, the Pvt. Hon. J. G. Coates. These dismissals will be accompanied by a proportionate reduction in the administrative staff.

The remainder of the dismissals made necessary through tho curtailment of Public Works expenditure from £5,542,000 to £1,234,000 will be carried out in easy stages. By the end of next month it is expected that another batch of 3000 men will have been put off, making 5000 out of tho present total of 12,000 employees.

It is hoped it will be possible to keep the remaining 7000 men in work, although they will have to accept reduced rates of pay, probably about £2 10s a week, or 8s a day, with shelter and usual privileges. Generally, work throughout tho department will be oh a relief, basis, money being provided from the unemployment funds if possible.

MEN AT GALATEA ESTATE. NO OTHER WORK AVAILABLE. [BT TELEGRArn.— SPECIAL REPORTER. "| WELLINGTON, Monday. The fate of men dismissed by the Public Works Department from the Galatea Estate, near Rotorua, formed the subject of an urgent question by Mr. R. Semple (Labour —Wellington East) to the Rt. Hon. J. G. C'oates, Minister in Charge of Unemployment, in the House of Representatives this evening. Mr. Semple said the men dismissed had their wives and children in various parts of the North Island. He asked whether other employment would be found for the men in the district, or whether their fares bark to their homes would be paid. Mr. Coates said the dismissal of the men was a sequel to the recent announcement that Public Works expenditure had necessarily to be curtailed. In this instance the men had been in constant employment with the department for a number of years. They were 110 longer required at Galatea because of the progress made with reading and other works. There were no other works in the district at which the men could be placed. The men came to Galatea from the GisborneWaikokopu railway. Regarding the suggestion that the men's fares back to their homes should be paid, Mr. Coates said he was afraid that was a concession he was not justified in extending in this case.