PROTEST OVER PROPOSED CHARGE ON QUARRYMEN.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18640, 18 December 1928, Page 9

PROTEST OVER PROPOSED CHARGE ON QUARRYMEN.

AMOUNTS TO WAGES REDUCTION IT IS SAID.

A vigorous protest against what she described as a reduction in the wages of some of the men employed at the Halswell Quarry was made at last night’s meeting of the City Council by Councillor Elizabeth M’Combs, when a report from the Works Committee was under consideration.

The report stated that it had been suggested to the committee that the men’s accommodation at the Halswell Quarry should be remodelled order that each man may have a room to himself. The City Engineer reported that this could be best effected by erecting a row of bedrooms on the west side of the present whare and converting two of the existing bunk rooms into a large dining room to replace the combined kitchen and dining room. Each of the proposed bedrooms would be about six feet by eight feet and would provide sufficient room for a bed and wardrobe. It was further suggested that an additional lavatory building be erected. The estimated cost of this work was £6OO. At present there were only eight men living at the quarry but usually there were more. The committee was of the opinion that by charging each man the sum of 2s 0d per week a sufficient sum would be provided to cover the cost of interest and sinking fund on the outlay and it was therefore proposed to ascertain if the employees were prepared to pay this amount. In the event of their doing so, the committee asked for authority to proceed with the proposals. Councillor M’Combs declared that the charge of 2s 6d a week amounted to a reduction in the wages of the men concerned. She considered that the Council should bear the cost without making any charge to the men. The quafry account was in a sound position.

The Mayor said he saw no reason why the Council should differentiate between one group of men and another. Surely the Council was not under an obligation to find free board for the single men employed at the quarry, in addition to paying them full union wages? It would amount to giving the single men a bonus on their wages. At present the single men who lived at the quarry got full board and lodging for 22s 6d, and with the extra 2s 6d it would amount to 25s a week.

“ It is for their convenience, not ours.” the Mayor added. “\‘\’e are not asking them to stay there; they can come into town to live if they like.” Councillor H. ’l‘. Armstrong, M.P.. chairman of the Works Committee, said that if it was a fair thing to provide free acconxmodation for single men the Council ought to pay the house rent of .the married men. After further discussion the report was adopted.