NO TRANSFER TO PUBLIC WORKS

Southland Times, Issue 23782, 1 April 1939, Page 6

NO TRANSFER TO PUBLIC WORKS

Men From Subsidized Schemes USEFUL JOBS TO BE FOUND (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 31. “We have established a pretty high standard of performance among the public works employees and we are not going to have it demoralized by a transfer of men who are not physically fit and competent,” said the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) when commenting on the position of workers employed on schemes subsidized from the Employment Promotion Fund which ceases to exist from tomorrow. Mr Semple explained that it would take time to reorganize the situation and it was not within his province to make any statement about the position generally. There was no intention, however, to stop the operations on important subsidized works. The men on jobs that were not considered to be important- would be transferred to more useful work.

The Public Works Department probably would not carry all th e At men. Some would, in due course, be absorbed into housing. Men would be employed where they most required and they would not be employed just for the sake of employment. No doubt types of useful work would be found for men who were not suited for jobs demanding fitness and physique.