NO EXTRA PAY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23048, 27 May 1938, Page 12

NO EXTRA PAY

KEPLY TO TUMELLEKS AGREEMENT NOT BROKEN ■ MR. SEMPLE SPEAKS OUT [by telegraph—OWN correspondent] WELLINGTON, Thursday An emphatic answer was given by the Minister of Public "Works, the Hon. R. Semple, to a deputation of tunnellers from Beach Camp, Tikiwhata, on the Napier-Gisborna. line, who interviewed him with a request for the same payment on clearing slips us they receive under contract for tunnelling. The men's ease was recently published and the Minister said ho regretted this, because it necessitated making a public answer. "I am sorry this has reached the newspapers," said Mr. Semple, "especially as it appeared while negotiations between the men and myself were pending. "The workers' agreement makes provision that if any men on contract earning more than the basic 16s a day are taken away from that work to suit the convenience of the department, they shall bo paid the average of their earnings under contract," said the Minister. "But it has always been the case that where there is work of real necessity, involving the safety of human life or the safety of tho work, this provision does not apply.

"In this case it was a disaster duo to floods. The tunnelling operations had to cease. During tho power cut-off, and with slips occurring, tho tunnellers were idlo. They were asked to help in clearing up tho debris and to make preparations to enablo them to resume tunnelling. In this process they worked with outside men receiving 16s a day, and there is no evidence in tho world that tho tunnellers were better outside than the men they were working with.

"The only sacrifice they wore asked to make was to work three or four outside to enable them to resume tunnelling. They asked for 5s an hour, against tho other men's 2s, although they gave no more service. It would not be fair to the country, or to their mates working alongside doing tho same work. "It is not a breach of the agreement, for they were not taken out to meet the department's convenience, but owing to a disaster which has caused damage to the line in tho vicinity of £1,000,000, and has been responsible for tho death of 23 good bravo men. "I am definitely against creating class distinction between tunnellers and other workers when doing tho same job," said Mr. Semple, "and I refuse point blank to pay them 5s an hour. They are not entitled to it and they are not going to get it."