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employees with over two months' service will be paid for seven statutory holidays as they occur each year. In addition, men with one year's service will be paid for five days' annual leave (one week's pay) and those with two years' service or over will be paid for ten days' annual leave (two weeks' pay). ACCIDENTS ON WORKS. Seriously injured workmen will be conveyed to the nearest doctor and hospital at the Department's expense. This has not always been done in the past and has caused hardship in many instances. A vehicle suitable for use as an ambulance is to be kept on large works, together with all necessary equipment therefor, including stretchers, bedding, blankets, &c. Well-stocked first-aid outfits will also be kept in suitable positions on works. ACCOMMODATION ON WORKS. For some years past two men have had to share a tent, but in future each man will be provided with a tent to himself, except where cookhouses are provided on works. No accommodation for married men with their families has been provided for several years, but under the new agreement specially designed tent accommodation consisting of three rooms with a stove will be provided on works which will take more than twelve months to complete. A combined bathroom and washhouse, with tubs, copper, and galvanized-iron bath will be erected for each group of four married men's quarters. It is my intention that the tent or other accommodation provided on works shall be as comfortable as conditions or circumstances permit. RECREATION FACILITIES. Recreation-halls, including a room for use as a library, will be erected on large works when considered desirable. I am strongly of opinion that it is desirable that men who are in camps on construction works and therefore away from public or reference libraries should have an opportunity for study in their leisurehours, and it is my intention that libraries on construction works, in addition to containing lighter reading, should contain standard works dealing with the different trades, works, or structures on which the men are engaged, in order that their interest in the work itself and knowledge of principles involved may be stimulated; and that they may have also facilities for study of world affairs, including social and economic problems. It is my intention that committees of the men be appointed to supervise the libraries, and I shall be willing to assist with the purchase of suitable standard works. PREFERENCE TO UNIONISTS. Unconditional preference to unionists is provided for in the agreement, arid all workmen employed on construction works of the Department must join the New Zealand Workers Union, with whom this agreement has been made. The only exception will be in the case of artisans, who will not be required to join the New Zealand Workers' Union until they have been employed for two months if they already belong to a trade-union. COMPLAINTS. Since accepting the portfolio of Public Works I have received numerous complaints and requests from individual workmen and committees of workmen. The new agreement makes" special provision for the. procedure to be adopted in making requests or settling disputes. The New Zealand Workers' Union is to appoint a representative on every work, and all complaints or requests by workmen are to be made through him to the Engineer or other officer in charge of the work. If the local Engineer and the union representative are unable to

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