RAILWAY DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 12 July 1930, Page 2

RAILWAY DEPUTATION

QVER DISMISSAL OF EMPLOYEES

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, July 11,

About forty men, recently dismissed from the Lower Hutt Railway Workshops, waited on Hon W. A. Veitch today asking they should either be reinstated or found alternative employment, They also, asked the policy of dismissals should cease, at least until there had been a full inquiry into the position at the workshops.

Replying Mr Veitch. referred to the parlous state of the finances of the Department, remarking this year there would be a loss of £1,300,000 and under the conditions the Department could not possibly retain all present employed, but he was prepared to consider, with the leaders of the Railwaymen’s Organisations, a system of rationing work. He undertook to withhold till Wednesday night notices of dismissal served this week. Mr Veitch admitted that by anticipating -necessary work it might be possible to keep men on, but the Department had not the money and the Minister of Finance was himself in great difficulty.

■ NOTICE'S POSTPONED. CHRISTCHURCH, July 11. Those of the Aldington Railway Workshop employees who are at present under notice of dismissal are to be maintained in work until Wednesday next, according to advice that was received to-day by the Workshops Manager. It is understood that the Government will confer with the A.S.R.S. early in the coming week. The Manager has no advice that dismissals at the workshops are to cease. All he knows? at present is that the dismissal notices have been postponed until Wednesday.