SUITABLE WORK.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20311, 22 May 1934, Page 8

SUITABLE WORK.

Difficulties Experienced by Council. RELIEF EMPLOYMENT. The difficulty in which the City Council found itself in selecting suitable jobs for relief workers was emphasised by the Mayor, Mr D. G. Sullivan, M.P., at the meeting of the council, last evening, when a motion by Councillor A. E. Armstrong was under discussion. Councillor Armstrong moved: “That all labour engaged on the reconstruction of Carnarvon Street be paid for according to the general labourers’ rate prevailing on council works.” Councillor Armstrong contended that the work done in Carnarvon Street was of an essential character and as such should be paid for at trade union rates. “What work is the City Council to give its relief workers?” asked the Mayor. If the council put the men on non-essential work they were utterly disgusted, the public protested and the Unemployment Board was dissatisfied. If unnecessary work was not to be done, what was the alternative? It was that some kind of useful work should be done. When it was done the point arose that in doing it the work ought to be paid for at ordinary trade union rates of wages. That was the dilemma any local body found itself Councillor Armstrong’s motion was lost on the voices. ________