LINESMEN DISMISSED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 1 April 1929, Page 4

LINESMEN DISMISSED

NO WORK AVAILABLP STATEMENT BY MINISTER (Ay iHiloßT&ph—Prong Association AUCKLAND, 30th March, Pointing out that there were a thousand men registered as unemployed and that to add to their number would bo disastrous in view of the approaching winter, Mr Savage, M.P., communicated with the Postmaster-General with reference to the dismissal of a number of telegraph linesmen. The Hon. J. B. Donald replied that be realised the seriousness of the unemployment situation and would lie the last "to bring undue hardship to any of the men of the Department. "However, you will fully realise that when there is no work available it would not be right for my department to keep men on the pay roll.'' The Minister admitted this procedure had been followed in the past, but it led to all kinds of complications and was very unwise procedure! He assured Mr Savage that the services of no employees were being dispensed with when there was any Work available which they could do. lie felt sure the steps the Government was taking to overcome unemployment would greatly assist in time. He could only hope that men who lost their positions with the P. and T. Department would find employment under the scheme being instituted by the Government.