DAY WORK OR CONTRACT.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXXVI, Issue 5728, 3 October 1914, Page 2

DAY WORK OR CONTRACT.

Day labour v. contract labour foi borough work connected with various street operations in Hamilton was the subject of discussion at a meeting of the Borough Council last night, in the light of the fact that the calling for tenders involved dismissal of borough workmen employed at present.

The discussion was taken in committee. The Mayor moved that the engineer's plans be approved, and that the work he carried out by the council's own workmen. —Cr Tristram seconded. Cr McKinnon mcved as an amendment that tenders be called for, as that course was in the best.interests of the ratepayers.— Cr Hammond seconded.

The amendment was carried by six to four, the Mayor and Crs Tristram, Speight and Hayter dissenting. In ratifying this decision in open council it was resolved not to create a precedent by allowing the discussion to be reported in the press. The matter wan dealt with in committee, along with a variety of other matters coming from the legal and finance committee. The object was to allow opportunity for free and open discussion of details. As the Mayor subsequently remarked, it certainly allowed more liberty of speech, and the fact that this had been fully taken advantage of while on the subject of day labour was no doubt the reason why the reporters were nut permitted to publish the discussion.