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Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2774, 18 May 1916, Page 4

AVhat is described as the largest meet- • ing of carpenters and joiners held in '"Wellington for many years took place last evening, when consideration _ was given to tho increased cost of living , caused by the risp in the prico of commodities. The meeting resolved to ask all employers of labour and also public bodies for an increase in wages of 10 per cent. It was also resolved to further consider this matter at an early date. Important alterations have been mada -■ in the train arrangements in connection •'. with the week-end leave of the troops in camp at Featherston. Hitherto two troop trains have left the camp for Wellington on Saturday afternoon, oiie of which . has returned tho same night, and the other on Sunday night. The first of these left I-'eatherstou at 1.10 p.m., and was timed'to reach tho City at 6 p.m. It loft again for the camp at 10.10 p.m., reaching its destination at 2 a.m. on Sunday. For some time past the Camp Commandant has felt that this train was not a satisfactory one, as the men had a very short -stay in Wellington, whila they had two very long and tedious journeys. As well as tliis, he considered that 2 a.m. was a very late hour for them . to arrive in camp. Last Saturday an ■ experiment was mado by running tlia train tO'Masterton instead of AVellington. . About 50 men availed themselves of this ' train. The majority in camp, however, prefer to visit AYellington. The Railway Department stato that they cannot run trains both to Wellington and Masterton, It has been decided, therefore, to run Iwtli troop trains to the City as week-end trains. They will leave the camp on Sat- " ' urday afternoon, and return on Sunday evening. By this means 10C0 men of tho 6000 in camp will be able to visit Wellington every week-end. Tho fervent hope is expressed by tho men that theso trains will rim to time-table,,.so that they will have their full time in Wei-' lington, and reach the camp on their return by 10 p.m. on Sunday night. A question about a- large quantity of . aluminium said to bo lying in tho railway yards at Christchurch was asked in the House yesterday afternoon by Mr. J. Payne. Ho inquired if the Minister of Railways knew the existence of this material, which, on tlie outbreak of war, was on its way from Melbourno to Germany. Thereafter it was diverted to Karl Joosten, of Christchurch, and sinco had been lying in the yards. In view of the shortage of metal, this material 1 would probably be of value at present. Tlie Hon. W. H. Hcrrics, in reply, said that ho would have iuquiries made on the point raised.