WORK ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13737, 19 May 1910, Page 8

WORK ON THE MIDLAND RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF '''THE PRESS." Sir, —As I see by the daily papers that the Government is sending a lot of men to the works here, I strongly advise them to keep away, if they can possibly get an existence anywhere else, if it is only one meal a day and it is contract work in rock cuttings. Somo have been here for over six months, and they have not been able to save enough to pay their train fare away, and have no decent clothos to go in. The storekeepers Tiavo an order against you, which the Government deduct, and give you the balance if you are lucky enough to have any, but the majority are in debt, and therefore are obliged to stay. Tho average wage for over 100 men docs not total more than 4s a day, and half of that has to go homo to their unfortunate wife and children. One of tho men, with his family of eight on the works here, got the miserable amount of 2s 6d a day,' after waiting three days after pay day was due for his month's wages. Thero are a great many more like him on the works, and more able-bodied and experienced men it would bo impossible to find in Che whole Dominion. You have also to pay for your firewood, which costs 16s a load, and pay for your shovels and bunks and explosives, and for having your tools sharpened. The tents are so thin that they.will not keep.out tho rain, and no flooring is allowed single men unless at their own expense. If. they wero not men of sound constitution* they could hot stand it. It is very cold und miserable here in winter. There is a school and church here, but most of tho children have not decent clothes and boots to go in, and no hope of getting any.—Yours, etc., NATIVE.