DISMISSAL OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 215, 11 September 1890, Page 5

DISMISSAL OF RAILWAY SERVANTS.

BROUGHT BEFORE THE HOUSE.

(by telegraph.—own reporter.)

Wellington, this day.

In the House.of Representatives last evening, Hon. Mr Ballance ,said it. would be seen from the evening papers that the Railway Commissioners had dismissed or discharged four of their men at Christchurch. He believed the Commissioners also discharged men at Lyttelton and Westport. The Railway Commissioners were subject to Parliament, though nob to the Government, and owed allegiance to that House and the country. Hβ- thought he was infringing no constitutional privilege in asking Ministers to at once place themselves in communication with the Commissioners, and place the information so obtained on the table of the House on the following day. If possible, it was the duty of the Commissioners, he urged, to inform tho House as early as possible of so grave a step as they had taken.

The Acting-Premier, in reply, eaid the Government had received no official intimation of what had been stated. He had, however, noticed statement in papers thata certain number of men had been dismissed at Christchurch. The Government had already taken steps to inquire into the reason, and ho would have great pleasure in informing the House of the result of his inquiry.