AERODROME WORK

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18584, 19 December 1934, Page 14

AERODROME WORK

PROPOSED RESUMPTION QUESTION OF TERMS COMMITTEES TO REPORT The proposed reconstruction of the Gisborne aerodrome as an unemployment relief work received further consideration .at last evening’s meeting of the Borough Council, when a deputation was . received' from the Unemployed Workers’ Movement, -headed by Mr It. Waugh, chairman, and Mr Goodson. The deputation asked the council to press for better 'terms, for the men in the event of the work being undertaken, and the position was very clearly and concisely placed before the council by Mr Waugh. After the deputation had withdrawn the council discussed the position fully, and gave consideration to a proposal that a loan should be raised to enable the amount provided by the Unemployment. Board to be subsidised so that the men might receive continuous work. It was decided in the end that a report on the question should be brought down at the next meeting by the council’s finance and works committees.

Mr. Waugh stated that the time was fast, approaching when work on the aerodrome would be restarted. The deputy chairman of tlie Unemployment Board was to be in Gisborne this week, and the unemployed urged the council to endeavor to secure the terms for the work which it. sought- before. The unemployed felt that as the aerodrome was the property of the council, the council should have some say in the way in which the work was to he done. They recognised the importance of an aerodrome to the town, but at the same time the Minister of Defence had made a definite statement regarding the necessity for a chain of aerodromes throughout New Zealand for defence purposes. The suggestion made by the Minister previously that the work on the Gisborne aerodrome was for the benefit of the local community was a bit farfetched, since the Minister had made that statement in the House of Repre sentatives. RATES OF PAY It was recognised that the work could not he commenced this year, owing to the climatic conditions, hut the work probably would be commenced in February. The contention of the U.W.M. had proved correct regarding the rates of pay offered by the hoard. It could he proved that at- other airports throughout New Zealand the men were unable to earn a reasonable wage. "We have been careful in this,” said air. Waugh, ‘‘and have, secured vouchers lor the various jobs showing the rate earned by the men. The unemployed of Gisborne would view with apprehension any proposal to restart the work under the conditions originally offered. They cannot accept a lowering of the present standard. It has. been promised that the standard would be raised, but under the old conditions offered for the aerodrome work they would not be able to earn even the pittance they are getting at present. TJje unemployed appealed to the council not to let th'e unemployed suffer.” The Mayor, Mr. John Jackson, explained that the work could not " be undertaken unless the council made

application to the board. The speaker understood that all the aerodrome jobs throughout the Dominion, except Auckland,' weft' being carried out by, the unemployed, and that the men were doing well, some earning 18s a day, and others 10s and 9s. He understood that under the new conditions to be offered the rate of pay would be based not on 10s -a day, but 12s. What the unemployed would have to consider was whether they would accept the better rate in the event of the council asking for the work to be undertaken. LOAN SUGGESTED The Mayor added that lie was satisfied the hoard would not differentiate between the Gisborne aerodrome job and similar jobs elsewhere. Personally, he was opposed to the men being engaged on a job of the kind unless they could work continuously. If the ratepayers would sanction it, he would favor the raising of a loan so that the council could subsidise the amount received from the board, apd so enable the men to work continuously.

'Mr Goodson explained that the unemployed claimed that (he aerodrome •was a national work, and that, if all such works were carried.out by unemployed labor it would never be possible to get (he .men hack into normal employment. After the withdrawal of the deputation the matter was discussed by the council, and certain aspects of it were dealt with in committee. The Mayor remarked that, there was no. question that the men were in earnest, and the only thing to do was to endeavor to raise a loan to subsidise the amount provided by the board. If the council could not do that it would be better to' let the matter stand, and make no application. €r. J. H. Hall suggested that the council should endeavor to raise a loan on similar terms to those obtaining in the case of Mount Albert, and he moved that the whole matter should •be referred to the finance and works committees for a report. The Mayor seconded the motion, but pointed out that so far as the aerodrome was concerned it would be necessary to consult the other local bodies interested in the aerodrome. He was not prepared to go to the ratepayers if the other local bodies were not willing to do anything. After further brief discussion Or. Hall’s motion was carried.