JOBS ON SATURDAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19106, 29 August 1936, Page 14

JOBS ON SATURDAY

PUBLiC WORKS MEN DISMISSAL INTENDED WARNING BY MINISTER (-Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Instant dismissal for men engaged on Public Works who have been supplementing their income by taking other work on Saturday mornings was promised by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. It. Semple, when discussing the matter in an interview to-night. When the 40-hour week on public works was established, Mr. Semple said, the men were given the right to work on a job on Saturday morning to make up any time they might have lost during the week. That was purely optional.

“I have been informed that some men have refused to do that, but have been working on Saturdays for other employers and thus competing with men who have no jobs,” continued Mr. Semple. “I want to make it clear that this will not be tolerated by me. It is a complete violation of the '4O-hour principle and of the agreement signed in the name of these men. To use Saturday to compete against men not fortunate enough to liavo jobs of their own is selfish.

“When these cases come before me — and I have asked for the names of the rnou.—they will be instantly dismissed. They will then have a chance to work for the other employer not part of the time but all the time.”

The principle of the 40 hour week had been fought for by the legitimate Labour movement for years, added Mr. Semple, and the men on public works were the first in New Zealand to enjoy that privilege. To use that opportunity then to defeat their less fortunate , fellows who were depending entirely on casual jobs was playing a most unfair game.