RAILWAY CURTAILMENT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 194, 15 July 1930, Page 4

RAILWAY CURTAILMENT.

, MEETING AT FRANKTON. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, July 14. A packed meeting of members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants at Frankton to-day discussed the proposal of the Minister of Railways that all members of the service should sacrifice one week’s pay in order to assist the unemployed at the railway workshops. The meeting unanimously decided to protest strongly against further dismissals until the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants’ executive meets the Minister in conference. The meeting further decided to protest strongly against any system of rationing work, suggested by the Minister as such was regarded as economically unsound and opposed to the future welfare of the railways. A further resolution recommended a graduated levy for ‘unemployment on all incomes, such money collected to carry £2 for £1 subsidy, the money to be expended in finding useful employment. The Government is also to be urged to bring all the idle lands of the Railway Department into cultivation as one means of providing employment. Further recommendations were that an additional tax be placed on all . motor vehicles in competition with the railways; that means for increasing the revenue of the Railway Department and bringing about a more efficient service be discussed. . 1 The meeting decided that a revision of freights was necessary in order to restore the balance of tariffs, which had been upset by motor competition, also to recommencl the department to consider a scheme of local collection and delivery of parcels and goods. It was felt necessary to. make a thorough investigation of administration costs in relation to the working costs of the railways. WHANGAREI’S PROTEST. » Per Press Association. WHANGAREI, July 14. A large meeting of the Whangarei branch of the A.S.R.S. considered the Minister’s proposals regarding the rationing of work, and the following resolution was carried unanimously:— .“This meeting views with alarm that a man should forfeit a week’s wages, and considers that the Government is responsible for finding work for the unemployed at award rates, and strongly protests against any levies being put on the workers.”