THE TRUCK SYSTEM IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4166, 28 July 1874, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE TRUCK SYSTEM IN GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS.

Tlio charge is again made that, in connection with some of the public works on the West Coast of the Middle Island, the truck system largely prevails. The subject was lately brought specially before the Provincial Council of Westland. Mr. Seddon moved, —“ That in the opinion of this Council, all contractors of General Government Works in the Province of Westland should bo kept strictly to the time specified for the completion of their respective contracts, as there is strong reason to suppose that in consequence of the articles of contracts not being strictly adhered to in this particular, the clause mi the General Government specification, prohibiting the truck system, and which also provides that the workmen must he paid once a fortnight, in coin of the realm, on the

works, is being grossly evaded ; a copy of the resolution, if carried, to be forwarded by the Superintendent to the Minister of Public Works.” He said the motion he brought forward was one that affected the working man, and he would endeavor to show a state of affairs, for which, if the Press were aware of them, a remedy would have been arrived at long ago. The fact was, that the truck system was in as full swing in Westland as ever it was in the old country ; the rules laid down for contractors were evaded, and although the various stores along the lines of ■public works wore in other names, they actually belonged to the contractors themselves, but the Government had the remedy in their own hands, as they ought to compel the contractors to complete the work in the time specified in accordance with the 23rd clause of the General Government specifications. Th« men were to be paid fortnightly in coin of the realm, and at a place purposely appointed, not being a public-house. On a contract near the Grey there was a public-house at each end, and a store every two miles of the road, and of course great inducements were offered to men in spending their money even before they got it, and it just depended upon what they did spend whether they were kept on or not, for if any man did not spend enough to please the views of the contractor he was discharged. He knew one person who was there eight weeks, and had only 30s. to draw. And then the system of paying by cheque was decidedly wrong, and against the rules as laid down. The person paid got his cheque, less the amount of provisions supplied, and as the hank was a long distance away, he could not get the cheque cashed without going to the public-house, and if anyone did not choose to deal in the.stores he was discharged. Another singular thing was that the propi'ietor of the stores was the person who was security to the Government for the due fulfilment of the work. At the AVaimea AVater Race instances of the same kind had arisen; and he would point out that by the 13th clause of the Government specifications penalties existed for not completing the work at a specified time, and if that were carried into effect contractors would he obliged to employ more men at a time to carry on the work, but the case was otherwise. If the men made more than £2 a week the work was generally knocked on the head for a time, and of course the work was delayed and the men benefited the contractor by eating bo much more provisions. The General Government were severe in some instances, when work was not done according to specifications, but lie had known no instance where a fine was inflicted for work not completed in time. He hoped the Council and the General Government officers would see a way to have these contracts carried out in the specified time, as, in that case, the laborer would _be placed’ in a more independent position, and could go where he liked for his stores. At present, men who had come a long way were often pushed, and had to put up with the system, and after they had worked, they did not get a chance to save any money ; and who but the contractor reaped the benefit ? If these contractors took the work at a loss, was it right that the life-blood of _ the workman was to be wrung out of him to. meet the loss? At some of the hotels there was a convenient store, and in the case of a man calling for a drink—say a swiper for instance—who had no money, he would have to go into the store, purchase something and pay it away for drink. He had heard of such an instance where a man who had no money, and called for three drinks, was told to get a pound of candles, and he could have the three drinks for that; and that very thing was done not 100 miles from Greymouth. He considered it was high time they should step in and stop that sort of thing. Another thing was, that through this system being allowed, the AVaimea water-race was not being finished in the time it should be, and consequently the miners were being deprived of the drainage-water along the race, and meanwhile the revenue was suffering. Another thing in relation' to contractors was, that anyone throwing .up a contract, and thus delaying the business of the country, was not debarred from taking another, and perhaps more suitable one, directly after. This was not the case in other Colonies, as in Victoria any defaulting contractor was debarred from taking another Government contract for a period of twelve months. Mr. Cuming said the motion seemed to him a censure on the Government officers of the Colony. The question would be better dealt with by AVestland’s representatives in the Assembly. It was not for the Council to dictate to or censure General Government officers. The Provincial Treasurer thought the motion ill-timed. There were other means of bringing the matter under the notice of the General Government. Mr. Seddon was exceedingly that the motion had met with any opposition. Hon. members knew an injustice was being perpetrated daily, and yet seemed to wish to perpetrate that injustice for six months longer. The resolution, if carried, would strengthen the bauds of the Representatives in the Assembly. It was not a_ vote of censure of General Government officers, hut was only an expression of opinion. The resolution was carried.