NEW RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20343, 16 September 1931, Page 10

NEW RAILWAYS.

CESSATION OF WORK., BOARD'S RECOMMENDATIONS CRITICISED. (HIBSS ASSOCIATION TtLEGRAM.) BLENHEIM, September 10. An insult to tho intelligence of the community, and similar expressions were uttered at tho public meeting held at Kekcrangu to protest against the Bail ways Board's report so far as it affects the South Island Main Trunk. Mr A. J. Murray, who gave evidence before the Board, declared that it was his belief the Board's mind was made up long before it visited Marlborough. He challenged the Board to disprove or discount the figures he had placed beforo it. "If the Railways Board or anyono else thinks that with the aspirations of seventy years in sight of realisation we are going to truckle down to a Board which simply dismisses our case with tho words 'I don't believe you,' then they have another think coming," paid Mr E. F. Healy, M.P. He referred to the Board's references to as those of a cold-blooded organism for which they had no time in New land. The meeting appointed a sub-commit-tee to reply to the Board through the Minister. Similar meetings are to bo held at Blenheim, I'icton, Kaikoura, and elsewhere. WORKERS' SUGGESTION. (PRKSS ASSOCIATION TKLBGItAU.) "WELLINGTON, September 15. Concern is felt by the New Zealand Workers' Union as a result of recommendations of the Government Railway? Board that work oji the six railway lines under construction should be stopped, and in an interview to-day tho general secretary of the union (Mr Arthpr Cook) urged that the Government should immediately say what it was going to do with tbo men who would be thrown out of employment if the recommendations were adopted by Parliament. He suggested that as a means of reducing the present high costs of construction a mile tho Government should allow gangs of competent railway construction workers to form contract parties and work on co-operative contract principles.