STOP WORK.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15128, 24 January 1917, Page 8

STOP WORK.

COUNCIL ADVISED TO “GO SLOW.” A MOTION TURNED DOWN, COUNCILLORS EXPRESS THEIR OPINIONS. INCREASES IN EXPENDITURE. “That all public works within the Borough, with the exception of what is considered ‘urgent’ works, be stopped.” The above motion was moved by Cr Harkness at last night’s meeting of the Wanganui Borough Council, together with the following: (b) That the Borough Engineer furnish the CoTincil with a statement as to the various works at present in hand; (c) the number of men employed in connection with each and every particular work; (d) the number of officers employed in the Borough, stating the nature of their duties.” It was explained, by the Mayor that the Engineer’s report covered the last three clauses. The report disclosed that the Borough Engineer’s staff comprised six administrative and executive officers and 91 other employees. When the report was laid on the table councillors expressed surprise, and considered that the number was not excessive. Cr. Harness said that he had various reasons for moving his motion. It was the duty of every public body to reduce labour at the present. It would be a good thing for private employers, and although large wages were being offered it was impossible to get men. The time had come when the Council must consider a “go slow” policy. There were certain urgent works that should be gone on with, hut the Council could cut down a lot of work. They were paying too high a price for many works in the Borough. The wages of the men had increased by 3s per day since the war started. He did not begrudge the higher wages, especially if men can get the wages outside. Another serious aspect which had to be seriously considered and that was the big decrease in revenue next year. There would be an extra cost of £4OOO on the gas works next year- The Council had too many highly paid officers, and less could be done with. Cr. Sigley was of the opinion that Cr. Harkness was probably on the right lines. The latter was not criticising the works or the staff, but wished to help the finances of the Borough in the future. The increase in wages which the Council had decided on would increase the amount by £2OOO a year. He did not want to see an increase in the price of gas. The Borough Engineer’s report did not seem to show that the works wore overstaffed. He wanted to be fair and square and the matter should he gone into to see • if the Council could save money. The Mayor (Mr C. E. Mackay) could not support the motion. As far as he could see, there was nothing in it. Who is to say what urgent works are? If Cr. Harkness would say what were urgent works it would be all right. He did not see what they could cut down. On March 31 next the Council would find that they had kept well within the estimates, and this would reflect great credit on the men in charge. Cr. Spriggens, in supporting the resolution, asked Mr Staveley, the engineer, if he had got rid of any men lately, and received a reply to the effect that two or three men had been put off. Cr. Spriggens held that the refuse-collecting staff could be reduced, giving as his reason that it was not so necessary to collect refuse in the suburbs as in the city. Cr. Liffiton was in. sympathy with Cr. Harkness and his motion, but he thought that the latter should have stated what works he considered urgent. It would be a waste of money to stop the drainage, and it would be a pity to let the parks go back. Cr. Dustin could not support the motion, because he could not see where they could do any cheese-paring. He thought they could save some money in the refuse-collecting department. Everything e’se appeared to be necessary work. ■ If the mover of the motion could bring down seme concrete proposal the speaker would consider supporting him. In Cr. Dustin’s opinion the Engineer’s list of works were ones. If they cut down the work on the roads they would take half as much again to keep up in the future. Cr. Thompson told Cr. Harkness that the motion was not worded properly. The mover had not pointed out any leakage. The largest part of the works estimated for this year had been supported by Crs. Sigley and Harkness, and now at the eleventh hour they wanted to cut down. The population of Wanganui was' increasing, and this meant increased traffic on the roads, and a certain number of men must be kept on maintenance work. They would have to make up their minds to face the increased wages and keep going. He couldn’t see how the staff was going to be reduced at all. Cr. Alderton advocated keeping the reserves clean, and as chairman of the Reserves Committee he could not see where cutting-down could take place unless apait from the reserves and rubbishcollecting. Cr. Gower contended that the ratepayers on the outskirts of the town were just as much entitled to the rubbish service as those in town. He would have no objection to giving the smaller number of visits of rubbish carts to the suburbs a trial, however, if it could be proved that it was worth it. He advised the Council to go seriously into matters and see where expenditure could be reduced. He thought that anything starled in the future should be well considered before it was commenced. The Mayor: You can’t stop works that have not been started. Cr. Gower,' continuing, said that it was not fair to talk of cutting down the work of the sanitary department. They have accomplished more this year than ever before, and it was a subject of congratulation. to the Borough that such was the case. Cr. (Darkness, in reply, said he considered sanitation maintenance and such work as the Taylorville Embankment “urgent” works. He was of the opinion that the committee should be allowed to say which were urgent works. He thought lie cost of collecting rubbish could be cut down by half, and the same service rendered to the residents. It was not a question of taking off men but of making the', service more up-to-date. “Things want seriously looking into in -the matter of rubbish alone, and there might .be others,” Cr. Harkness said in conclusion. On being put the motion was lost by six votes to four, and on the motion of the Mayor it was agreed that the Engineer’s schedule be referred, to the Works Committee.