WITHOUT FOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 5, 7 January 1931, Page 10

WITHOUT FOOD.

PLIGHT OF WORKMEN.

ON GISBORNE RAILWAY.

NOTICES OF DISMISSAL. e

! POSSIBILITY OP DISOr.IM

(By Telegrnpli.—Press Association.)

GISBORNE, this day.

A- critical situation is developing at camps along the railway, route between Gisborne an! Waikokopu, where practically all the men have returned from the holidays, hoping to recommence work. ■.:'•■ ■' : Difficulty has arisen over the .catering arrangements, as the caterers are mot prepared to assume further comjL.itin.ents in addition to those already accumulated. Many men owe money to the cookhouse.managers, and the latter refuse to reopen their cookhouses without spine guarantee of payment for past meals, as well as for immediate requirements. The managers are nominated by •union, and it is understood that the Department refuses the guarantee required. ■ It is reported that fifty men in the Tikiwhata" camp" are without food, pending the reopening of the cookhouse. The eruditions in other camps, though not so bad, are seriofi. The possibility of disorder is not remote, and the situation of the caterers is difficult. Day-wage. "men are now engaged in clearing up and. stacking plant prior to their dismissal within a day or two, while co-operative contractors to-day received six days' notice as required by the award of the termination of their contracts. . . .'.■:. Wjhen notice.was served upon the railway construction workers this morning no indication whatever was given any pf the men as to further employment! The approximate number of men affected between Tikiwhata ando Gisboriie' is 339, of whom about 220 are married. - A large number also are being dismissed at the Waikokopu end of the line; Many will be. absolutely penniless after', meeting their liabilities for December. The position is declared to be without parallel in the history of construction work'in New Zealand. . '

PLEA FOR LINE

DEPUTATION TO GOVERNMENT.

(By Telegraph,—Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

. From lQ:3o:J;o'clock..tiU- luncheon .time to-day,\a .representative deputation from the Poverty-Bay district protested to' the\ton. E. A.. Ransom, Hon. W. A. Vertcli, Hon. W. B. Taverner and Sir Apirana Ngata.againsfrtlie Government's decision to slop tjje Gisborne-Waikokopu Tailway construction. ---• , ■■• '.'•' 'Mrv- W. D.- Lysnar complained that the r district; Having been denied an, opportunity of presenting its case to the Parliatnventary Committee, the Government acted without hearing "I am pr ; e >ared to help you," he said, "but I-cannot, s'tand by you in taking your course '.without, justification." v .. More speedies.were threatened near one o'clock,' when/ on Mr! Ransom's the. proceedings' were adjourned till this"'afternoon; '■>;■■■