NORTHERN TUNNEL STRIKE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 245, 13 October 1917, Page 10

NORTHERN TUNNEL STRIKE.

DISCTSSED IX TIFE HOfSE. Ct-.r Tcle__anh.- Parliamentary Reporter.) WELI.IXGTON- Friday. Tn tlie Tloase of Representatives toni«ht Mr. J. Mclum,*. said that the tunnel dispute on tiie North Island line v-.as not yet settled, though the Departmental officers .vho had been sent to inquire into-the mutter returned on 2>th September, and the !a-t piece of evidence arrive lon <">._<.W V The delay was net fair tii the in-ti. an i it was a bad thing for th.- country to have a large body of men idle waitinjr for the settlement of a littV dispute. The Hon. \\~. Fraser: Why are the men idle? Mr. Mi-TomH?: "i'ec-ause of the action of a very unreasonable officer 01 the Department." He went un to say that irri-' T.mn;- tactics had been adopted. s.mp riisc-jssiiin had tt.ken place regarding the cost of the' work t-omparci with the other works, bat it wa> quite a different ci__ss of country. Mr. Fraser: (Juite ineoxrect. Mr. M(<'omfis said he -,vas quoting from j> sunrrnary of the evidence. Mr. Fraser: It i- incorrect, that's all. The decision at whicii the Minister has arrived is that the work must in future be done by contract, instead of by day labour. Mr. Kra.er i~ not satisfied" with the rat- of pro-jresn. '.rhich. he Htates. ■enmpart's very favourably with similar york in similar country on other _eetio__< of the line.