RAILWAY WORK CEASED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 8 January 1931, Page 9

RAILWAY WORK CEASED

GOVERNMENT RETRENCHMENT

NORTH AUCKLAND HARD HIT

DISMISSAL <>F 200 MEN

(Bv Telrerapli—Press Association.) WHANGAREI, Jan. 8 North Auckland is hard hit by the Government railway retrenchmen poliev. . Although onlv four miles remains to complete the line to its termination, the Hangialnia river work has been definitely ceased on the Okaihau section, and on returning after the holiday yesterday, 200 men were ordered to hand in their tools. Most of the single men. to a. number of 50, were paid oft six weeks ago and married men yent to spend the) Christmas vacation in ignorance that they would be unemployed after the New Year. The first intimation received that their positions were in jeopardy was when they read the statement made by tlie aetingPrime Minister. Even then opinion was general, both among the men and the business people of Okaihau, that the work would continue for at least four months, and as the result many holiday makers had exhausted the last of the hi funds. A small number lias been retained for cleaning up, and it is understood that a limited quota can be assureb;tod at Arapuni, but it is doubt!ul whether there are sufficient quarters available for the married men. Cookhouses at Okaihau are supplying the men v ith food until Saturday, after which the situation will be crucial. The majority owe for tlieir meals and for private trading bills contracted in the townships.

POSITION AT DARiGAVILLE

ABOUT 160 MEIN DISCHARGED

DARGAVILLE:, Jan. 8.

Men engaged on railway construction work on. the final section of the Tango-walvine-Dargaville line, of which all but about one and a-half miles is nearly complete, were given a week’s notice this morning. They resumed after the Christinas vacation yesterday, and as far as can be ascertained have not been offered work elsewhere. The number of men affected is upwards of 160, mostly married. A public meeting will be held on Monday to consider what action will be taken in connection with the closing down. /Much indignation is expressed in tlie district as it is contended that under a month’s work would have given another five and a-half miles of completed railway and brought the terminous within one and a-half miles of Dargaville. The hope is expressed that owing to the fact that the work is. near completion it may be resumed after March 31.