PUBLIC WORKS PAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 11

PUBLIC WORKS PAY

MEN AT MOTUEKA

REFERENCE TO FARMERS

MR. SEMPLE AROUSED

PLAIN SPEAKING EXPECTED

[BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Sunday

Dissatisfied workers employed by tho Government at Motueka are likely to hear some plain speaking by tho Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, who has arranged to address a public meeting at Motueka 011 Tuesday night. Tho Minister will make a considered reply to a series of resolutions recently passed by tho Motueka branch of tho Now Zealand Workers' Union against tho new public works agreement and incidentally against the policy of tho Labour Government in guaranteeing prices for farmers who aro not affiliated with tho Labour Party.

Some time ago Mr. Semplo promised to visit Nelson and inspect a waterworks scheme involving the construction of a tunnel under several residences. Mr. Semplo will fly from Wellington on Tuesday morning and carry out the promised inspection. Referring yesterday to his projected visit, tho Minister stud lie had also arranged to address a public meeting at Motueka on Tuesday night, when ho would discuss tho attitude of the men concerned and other matters relating to the public works. "No Sympathy In Their Souls"

"As I have already announced," said the Minister, "I have given the Motueka branch of tho New Zealand Workers' Union 14 days' notice to withdraw its series of resolutions and I am determined to obtain a complete withdrawal if they intend to remain inside tho agreement. One of these resolutions was a demand that tho Government should make provision for a guaranteed minimum wage, along tho same lines as the guaranteed price for lariners, in view of the fact that while the union was affiliated to the Labour Party tho farmers' organisation -was not. "I cannot understand the selfish attitude of men of that type. There is neither rhyme nor reason in their argument and no human sympathy in their souls. They object to farmers getting guaranteed prices. Why, there are hundreds of farmers in this country who are working the round of the clock every day throughout the year and have no hope at all of making 16s a day, as provided for workers under this public works agreement. Moreover, the wives and children of those farmers also work every day and get nothing at all. Advantages Not Realised

"Even in tho Motueka district there are dozens of small farmers who would bo mighty glad to get a minimum wage of 16s a day for a 40-hour week. They have to work long hours every day and if they make a little extra money from their produce it usually goes to the mortgagee. "As for tho men employed on tho Motueka aerodrome, they do not appear to realise how many advantages have been given under the new agreement. It has been said before, but it cannot bo said too often, that single men have had their wages increased from 9s to 16s a day and married from 12s to 16s a day, with a 10 per cent reduction in working hours. Fourteen days' holiday with full pay are allowed to men who have been employed for two years with the Public Works Department and seven days on full pay after 12 months' service. Conditions have been improved, particularly as regards the life in camps, and I have even secured a large number oi radio sets at a reduced price to enable workers in distant camps to keep in touch with the outside world. More than that, I am the first member of any Government in the British Empire to introduce a 40-hour week on public works. Publication oi Earnings "The Motueka branch complains about not getting a guaranteed wage. Under this agreement they get a guaranteed minimum wage. I intend shortly to publish the monthly averages earned on these jobs and let the country know exactly how much above this minimum wage is being earned by many of the workers. It has also been asserted by the Motueka branch that the Government has failed to carry out its election promises to the workers. In view of Avhat has been done already I cannot understand tho state of mind of men who adopt such an attitude. "As to the question of affiliation with tho Labour Party, which was raised by the branch in the resolution about guaranteed prices, I say definitely that the Labour Party does not compel any labour organisation to affiliate with it. The Labour Party or any other decent organisation of men would be well rid of this type."