WORK AT AERODROME

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21934, 18 October 1934, Page 12

WORK AT AERODROME

CONDITIONS DEFENDED * MINISTER QUOTES EARNINGS [BT TEUEGRAPH—SPECIAL BEPOBTEB} ■WELLEnGTOy. Wednesday The opinion that cause for complaint regarding conditions of work at the Hobsonville aerodrome no longer existed was stated by the Hon. J. Bitchener, Minister of Public Works, -when answering in the House to-night criticism voiced on the subject yesterday by the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. M. J. Savage, and Mr. W. E. Parry (Labour —Auckland Central), who had contended it was not possible for the men to earn 10s a day on the contract system in force on the job. The Minister said he felt he and Mr. Savage were agreed on one point, which concerned the class of men employed on the work. The ablest men either found work for themselves or were offered jobs, and the Government was left with what might be called second-rate workers. He did not use that term in a derogatory way, because he implied no fault on the part of the men. Everyone was not fitted to be a navvy —and a good job, too. The department had to look after a large number of these men, and the difficulty was to know what to do with them. A lot of trouble was taken to break them in, and they were given extra pay for a month or two. In the early stages of the Hobsonville job, there was great dissatisfaction, but he thought the conditions were much better there now. The men were working 47 hours weekly, but would now have an opportunity of working 48 hours. They got "a get fit allowance"' of 12' per cent for the first month and 6 per cent for the second month. He had returns of wages paid at the last measure-up on September 29. There were 11 gangs and the average daily earnings were 12s 2§d, lis 7d.. lis 2d, lis s*d, 10s 4|d. 10s o*d, 9s Hid, 9s Hid, 9s Hid, 9s 6id, Ss Qsd. The average over all gangs was 10s 3id. The next measure-up would take place in a few days. The men were receiving advances in earnings until the work was measured-up, Mr. R. Semple (Labour —Wellington East): Can you give us the national average? Mr.. Bitchener: I cannot give that, bat I can give lots of figures on much the same lines as these. I have not looked out the highest' figures, bat it is curious that Labour members always look oat tise lowest figures and. give them. I have tried to give a fair indication of the wages earned. I don't think the men at Hobsonville are- complaining now, and the job is fully manned.