SUBSIDISED WORKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22538, 1 October 1936, Page 16

SUBSIDISED WORKS

STAFFING AT OTAHUHU PRINCIPLE ENDORSED The principlo of reserving subsidised works for non-artisan labour was endorsed at tho Otahuhu Borough Council meeting on Monday night, when the procedure of selecting and dispensing with men was raised for discussion. Mr. A. Sinclair referred to the case of an artisan who had been replaced by another man and inquired whether the man in question had been advised of the particular reason for his replacement. Tho chairman of the works' staffing committee, Mr. J. J. Gi'aham, said that while engaged at his particular calling any artisan had to be paid full award wages. It was felt that as there was a distinct improvement in the employee's trado it was desirable to give employment to an unskilled worker. ''

Mr. F. W. Grey said tho subject raised was tantamount-to questioning tho authority of the special committee entrusted with tho staffing of jobs. Under the authority of the council full powers had been granted tho committee.

The Mayor, Mr. C. Tl. Pctrie, M.P., said there was a deep-seated principle involved and for that reason he had Cermitted discussion. The committee ad acted most judiciously in deciding that only non-artisans bo employed. "It is the duty of local bodies to encourage tho return of skilled tradesmen to their real vocation and not to utilise their services in jobs which can be competently filled by > unskilled labour," said Mr. Pctrie. Even had there been no opening offering for a tradesman it was the council's duty to send particulars of any such man to tho placement officer in Auckland in tho hope that he could bo absorbed at his own calling. While there were surplus men not suited to any special industry, it. was the staffing committee's duty to give them primary consideration, added tho Mayor.