FAR-REACHING DECISION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13100, 31 January 1936, Page 5

FAR-REACHING DECISION.

MR. SEMPLE’S 40-HOUR WEEK.

NEW PUBLIC WORKS POLICY.

United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. WELLINGTON, January 30.

The important points of policy he proposes to adopt in connection with public works was announced to-day by Hon. R. Semple. They are:

(t) Abolition of all relief work on public works and all works to be standardised as full time jobs; (2) Payment of a decent living wage; (3) Adoption of a 40-hour week; (4) Equal pay for married men and single men and full prevision of reasonable accommodation; (5) Adoption as a principle of the co-operative contract system of work where ever possible. (6) Maoris to receive the same rate of pay as Europeans.

CHANGES IN WORKING CONDITIONS.

DlscussUiig; his proposals, Mr Semple said: — 4 ‘The conditions which exist to-day on- the public works ol this country are entirely unsatisfactory, from the point of view of both, the men employed and the Department which control's them. Under the present system, efficient and proper control by the Department and satisfactory employment on the part of the men are impossible. A change must and will be made without delay. No great alteration is possible' until Parliament meets hut preliminary steps are already in hand.

“I propose at the earliest possible moment to abolish roliei works from the operations of this Department. If a. job is worth handling bv the Public Works Department., it should be handled as a standard job with the most efficient machinery and appliances, and at a decent rate of pay. The wheelbarrow—only one stage better than the wooden plough —has to go and we cannot see the end ol such obsolete methods too soon.

CHANCE TO PROVE ITSELF. “The Public Works Department is a solid, efficient organisation ready end anxious to function efficiently. It will now be given its chance re I i rove its worth. “I am determined to build up on our public works in due course a team of workers who, by reason of fair treatment and decent conditions. w,ill be proud to take their jmrt in building New_ Zealand. The right men are in New Zealand. The right need is the incentive to work, decent conditions, and a proper organisation to work under.

AGREEMENT TO BE MADE. “Arrangements have been made for representatives of the Department to confer now with representatives of tin* New Zealand Workers’ Union, and to prepare for the approval of

the Government an agreement w hich will be satisfactory both to the Department and the men. This agreement will then become the basis of conditions generally on all Public Works throughout New Zealand. It will provide for a. decent and reasonable rate of pay—what that rate of pay :shall be is now being discussed between the Department and the union officials. It will also cover the questions of accommodation, holiday privileges and working conditions generally. It will provide for equal pay tor both Maori and pakeha. and the adoption as a - principle of the co-oj )erat ive system. THE 40-HOUR WEEK.

“Iln adoption of a 40-hour workj.Me? week on Public Works has been i Tilly discussed by Oabinet, and my colleagues are in entire agreement with me that it should be adopted. The new agreement will provide accordingly. 1 am satisfied that it will make for efficiency. It w ill spread the task, and will enable more men to be employed, and it will mean that the men will be in better condition lor their work. The 40-hour working week lias been discussed all over the world during recent years. *‘lhe new Government is unanimous on the. question. We have got the opportunity to institute it in New 7 Zealand, and we will institute it without any more talking about it.

“Finally,” said the Alinister, “my object and my determination arc to organise the Public Works Department and its employees into an efficient and capable concern, to provide decent and reasonable conditions both in the way of accommodation and pay. and to provide the means by which all grievances can be expeditiously and. reasonably handled, i,n order that our common aim of building this fair country may be facilitated. W ith the co-operation of the Department and the men, F can do it. and I vTl'l.”