FULL TIME

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 8

FULL TIME

THE MAYOR’S PLEA NECESSARY COUNCIL WORK CLAUSE SENT BACK “I’m not going to be a party to this clause. I am surprised that Councillor O’Byme has been a party to it,” said the Mayor, Mr John Miller, at the meeting of the City Council last evening when the following clause in the Works Committee’s report came up for consideration:— “Having received a report from the city engineer advising that the Southland County Council had given its approval to the Richmond Grove Stormwater drainage scheme being carried out, but could not see its way to make any contribution to the cost. He asked that authority be granted to commence the work with No. 5 Scheme labour. Recommend that the necessary authority be granted the city engineer.” “There was a public meeting in Invercargill on Saturday night,” his Worship continued. “This showed the condition of unemployed labour in Invercargill at present and the wages the workers are getting. Now we propose doing essential and routine work with unemployed labour. I think that is wrong. We should be trying to give work to the men in the ordinary way. The unemployed are constantly told to look for other work, but how are they going to get it if all other work is done under No. 5 Scheme. I suggest that men be picked for the work and paid proper wages, not less than 10/- a day. We should be able at least to add to the allowance of the Unemployment Board and give an extra day or day and a half per week. I regard this as necessary work, and not light or congenial work. I understand that to complete the job 30 men will be given work for six months. If we give them an extra day it will cost about £4OO. The engineer has drawn my attention to the fact that the estimates allow for unemployed labour for the work, but the money has to be provided by way of overdraft at the bank, so we could get over the difficulty. I would not have brought the matter up if the work were a luxury, but this work has to be done irrespective of the cost of labour. . Councillor T. O’Byrne said he was pleased the matter had been brought up by the Mayor. “I quite agree that the men should be given full time, he said. “I don’t know why the Mayor has cast a reflection on me, though. I certainly want the men to get the best wages they can. But the scheme was drawn up for unemployed labour and it was regarded as necessary that the work should be begun without delay. I am quite prepared to let the clause go back. The Mayor apparently wants to curry favour with the unemployed and cast a stigma on me. However. I’ll support full time for the men whole heartedly.” “I am sure all councillors want to do the best by the men,” said Councillor A. W. Jones. “You were a bit hard on Councillor O’Byrne, your Worship. You gave him a setback. _ “Hitting below the belt,” said Councillor O’Byrne jocularly. “Councillor O’Byrne has no room for a belt,” said the Mayor It was decided to refer the clause back for consideration.