Co-operation.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 234, 30 November 1894, Page 2

Co-operation.

Its Advantages and Abuses.

('* Latitude.")

The proposed removal of llr O. L. Cook, Resident Engineer, in itself would be a matter of small importance if srdared by the Engineer-in-Chief simply in lbs interests of the Department. It would ear* tainly mean a lose to tne workers on tho line of a good friend and hard worker in the true interests ef co-operative works. To the residents of the district the loss would be that of a naan who had by hie kindneaa gamed the good wishes of all classes, and who was speken of by all as 44 a true gentlemen.” Mr Cook's removal, however, oonadered with e few complaints made but not proven, or inquired into, with regard to prices on the line, and the Hon. Mr Seddon'• remarks regarding the management at Pahiatua, are matters of grave consideration, not only for the residents of the district, but for the colony as a whole. Should the Reeideat Engineer be at present removed a blow will be given to the co-operative works that, if followed up by another change or two for similar reasons, will not only destroy the morale of the staff as a whole, but will canes the colony to rise and demand the abolition of co-operation and return to the contrast system. Aftw many years' engineering expenenee under gentlemen of undoubted ability, and having aatisted in the management of co operative works em- | ploying three times the number of men employed on the Ekelahuna Woodviile 1 line, 1 have no hesitation in eayiag that oonsidenng the small staff employed ea this line and the work to fce done by them the Premier must have been misinformed, or he would never have fallen into the error he most decidedly did when he stated the works were not well and efficiently managed. Had the engineer a larger staff, in my opinion many improvements in the interests of the workers and Department could be made. These I will deal with at a later stage. To return to the complaints about prices and the Resident Engineer s removal because he did not see his way, in the interest of the Department, to give the men ail they asked for. It seems to me. and I think it will be generally admitted, that political power need to fores an officer to give a price he does not feel justified in granting, is moat unwise. ev«n if exercised in an indirect manner. In the first place, the men on co-operative works, knowing that they can have the officers over them removed or dismissed if they do not give them all they want, will freely use their power, and the engineers, finding honest zeal for the Department is simply rum:ng their own i interests, will give prices and allow for j extras they are not justified m allowing. The colony as a whole, finding that the works are costing a few hundred per cent, more than they ehould. will chaoee the lesser evil, and hand mem over to the contractor.

Now, I for one am a firm believer in the co-cperative system. In another colony eo operative works have been carried on and proved a success. There, better work is done for Irss money ; there are no ruinous extras or law cases', and the cost of «upervision is less than under the contract system. If any complaints were made regarding prices the Engineer mchiefgavea final (htiiion, and the Minister of the day was content to abide by it. With regard to prices. Mr M. E. Kernot. M.1.C.E.. Assistant - Engineer - Chief of Railway Department. Victoria, stated to me in conversation that prices in New Zealand were, be understood, considerably higher than in Victoria. A year spent ;a this district alene has coavinoed me the statement was correct. The price given to ths gang who complained to the Hen. Mr Seddon that they were aet given a fair rate was one instance of a much higher rate than would be given for similar work in a like season in the colony mentioned. I could quote many examples and prices, but do not at present wish to do eo. I hold it is the duty of a Liberal Government to see that good wages are paid to good men, and I compliment this Covernuaeat on their action in this direction But if Mr Seddon desires the co-operative works to be a success and to receive the approval of settlers and others, he must be able to show that he supports hie officers aai leaves solely te their judgment the giving of fair and honest, but notexeeesixe. wages. Then will he receive the support of all classes, and the interests of the colony will be advanced.

I deem it the daiy of the engineer in charge of works to fix. te the best of hie judgment, a pnee that will enable goed men to make whatever rate of wages may be laid down by the head of his department, who is instructed by the Minister; but I must strongly oppose the idea of some that he is bound to allow extras to men who m some iastarces rennet, and in ether instances will not. work with the object of allowing them an even rate of pay. That an eagineer may either under or over estimate me fair pnee for a piece of work we must all admit. It is not an engineering qualification, and he is hmman ana may err. But independent of this I propose to place before you some other instances w here mea do not appear to, or do not. make wages. Some are ms tan res I hav« noted in another colony.

To Be Continued