HON. W. HALL-JONES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XL, Issue 12280, 26 May 1903, Page 5

HON. W. HALL-JONES.

THE CO-OPERATIVE WORKMEN.

PROGRESS OF THE MAIN TRUNK LINE. [nr TELEGRAPH.— OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, Monday. According to the correspondent of the Post, the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, .who was banqueted at Piriaka by the co-operative workmen, told them that the Department would, as far as possible, allow the men j to group themselves as working parties | according to individual ability, no matter i how high the earnings averaged and to i reduce freight over the Public Works Dei partmenfc's section of the line. The MinisI ter will make a long distance through rate j from Auckland as far as the engine runs, i that is, to Matapuna, on the Wangauui i River. This will apply only to necessaries i for co-operative workmen. The Minister . also speaks favourably of the workmen's : co-operative store started, which has been | the means of reducing the previously high I prices of supplies. The lower freight will I further assist. The Matapuna bridge, for which Scott Bros, are the contractors, should be completed by September, and by November the whole line to the Wangauui I River should be halided over to" the Rail- | Way Department. To-morrow the Minisj ter intends to go through the Waimarino j forest.