RELIEF WORKERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23202, 23 November 1938, Page 16

RELIEF WORKERS

ELLERSLIE COMPLAINT ALLEGATION OF LOAFING DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL Complaints regarding the amount of work done by men employed on the Government's'special No. 13 scheme in the. Ellerslie district wore submitted at the Ellerslie Borough Council meeting last night. A resident, who attended the meeting, bought permission to submit a protest, on behalf of residents and citizens generally., Ho uuid they had become concerned over the position, afld were of the opinion that there was a .tendency to .loaf on the works being carried 011 by the council. "There is a scandalous waste of public money in tha district, and the men aro not giving a just return for their wages, which are derived from taxation on, other people's earnings," he continued. Ho said the men were not giving the council or the. Government anything in thft nature of co-operation. Several members of the council suggested that the complaints bo heard by the council in committee, and this course was agreed to unanimously after the resident had protested that, as a matter of public interest, it should be given full publicity. » After resuming in open council, it" was decided to call the men together and discuss matters with them in view of the residents' complaints. Later in the meeting a letter was received from the secretary of the Local Bodies Labourers' Union, stating that tlio men on the council's works were not receiving the full award wages. The town clerk, Air. J. W. Carr, said it had been contended that the men did not | come under the award. The ; letter | stated that the council was required i to pay an additional 3s 4d weekly to ; men employed on certain jobs. "Wo are" in a curious position," said | the Mayor, Mr: H. J. White. "On the | one hand we are told the men are over- ' paid for the service they are giving, and ! on the other wo have a demand for higher wages." ; • it was decided to pay the new rates to the men employed on the special work.