HOUSING DEPARTMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23806, 12 May 1939, Page 7

HOUSING DEPARTMENT

STAFF GRIEVANCES MINISTER’S REPLY CAUSES INDIGNATION ALLEGED ANOMALIES IN SERVICE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 11. Beyond stating that a meeting of the staff of the Housing Construction Department at Auckland would be held in the immediate future to consider the reply of the Minister of Housing (Mr H. T. Armstrong) to the telegram relating to the resignation of Inspector Hedley, no comment was made by the officers of the department to-day. It is learned, however, that there is considerable indignation at the nature of the Minister’s reply. “ We are well aware of the Public Service regulations, and haye no wish to contravene them,” said one of the men. “We consider, however, that it is our duty to use our utmost endeavous to have the conditions cleared up. The action we have taken is in the public interest, and the sooner an inquiry is held the better.”

Another officer stated that there were married men on the office staff receiving the basic wage of £3 16s who were responsible for the administration of the outside staff and former scheme 13 men drawing £4 19s 2d weekly. Though such anomalies existed they were not the cause of the action taken by the staff. A thorough overhaul of the department was required. It was stated that a representative of the staff, now visiting Wellington, would call on the Minister to discuss the position.