A.S.R.S.

Grey River Argus, 11 July 1924, Page 3

A.S.R.S.

KAILW AY EMPLOY LK>. A rumour that the GuveriiiucDt contemplates dismissing men as the result uf the inauguration uf the 48 hour week in the. Railway servieg, was denied by Air Coates to-day. In reply to Mr. 1). G. Su.'4ivuu. who asked whether 100 men were tu be dispensed at Addington workshops, the Minister st-rfted that until the Arbitration Court Tribunal had made its recommendations regarding seventy-two claims now before it, the Government was unable to say what would be done in regard tu hours and wages or anything else. It had I already boon stated that if the 48hour week is established, there would be a surplus of approximately 1200 uieu. H was nut the intention of the Government to dispense with those men - , who would be absorbed in about twelve months’ time by reason uf the flow of labour into and out of the Department. T’he rumour was unfounded and he would immediately take steps io see how it started, and see that no men were dismissed. Air Cuates also stated that the cost of the oemmissiou of British Railway experts coming to New Zealand to investigate the railway system should not exceed X‘6000»