ONEHUNGA RETRENCHES

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 9

ONEHUNGA RETRENCHES

NINE MEN DISMISSED ONE MAN, ONE JOB A CTING upon the report of a special committee, Onehunga Borough Council last night decided to reduce its outdoor staff by the dismissal of nine men. The Rev. J. R. Nelson, on behalf of the Auckland Ministers’ Association, urged upon the council the immediate need of unemployment relief on a more adequate scale, and stating that the associtaion is recommending members of its churches to do all in their power to provide casual labour. Mr. H. G. Williams, of Norman’s Hill Road, Onehunga, complained that men on the council’s outdoor staff were taking on week-end private employment in the district apart from their duties for the council. He protested against such an action being continued, while so many other men were walking about out of work. Cr. E. Morton supported the complaint in most emphatic style. The council’s workmen were getting a fair living wage, and if not satisfied with that, they should quit. Many unfortunate men were unemployed, and in these times of distress they would be delighted to get those week-end odd jobs. Cr. Speight concurred, but considered the council had no right to interfere, as, when their men finished work at noon on Saturdays, they were bosses of their own actions until Monday morning. This -was a free country, and the council had no right to interfere. The Mayor regretted that so much unemployment was prevalent, but said even if «tlie council could not dictate to their staff as to their private actions at week-ends, perhaps a kindly .hint, given to their men in a proper spirit, would induce them to identify the present sad position of affairs in the way of unemployment. In normal circumstances, he admired any man for trying to improove his position, probably in the way of providing a home for himself, or to meet some unusual liability. The men complained of were not using the council’s plant or material, and he (the Mayor) could not perceive how the council could interfere. Cr. Morton declared upon the point of one-man-one-job, and remarked that the Railway Department would not allow its men to secure outside work, additional to their legitimate occupation. It was agreed that the council had no power to interfere with their men under the circumstances.