SHORTENING OF HANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20343, 26 August 1929, Page 14

SHORTENING OF HANDS.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICY.

RAILWAYS AND TRAMWAYS.

THE RESULT OF DEPRESSION. In consequence of the business depression and the loss of traffic following upon competition from motor-buses and motorlorries tho New South Wales Railway Commissioners have intimated their intention to retrench a large number of employees in tho railway and tramway services.

Mr. Morris, Secretary to (he Railways, said recently that it was true employees had been put off and others regressed in consequence of business depression. However, the rule in retrenchment was "last to come first to go." At present ho could not give an estimate of the number of men already put off and tho total still waiting to be dismissed. The railway and tramway services were a business undertaking and it consequently did not employ more staff than was necessary for the work to lie done. The future policy of tho commissioners depended on tho amount of business that would bo forthcoming. Probably the position would improve in the forthcoming wool and wheat traffic reason.

The secretary to the Australian Railways Union estimated a week or two ago that 2000 men in all branches had already been dismissed and that another 2000 were to go. Mr. Morris, asked whether this assertion was correct, replied that until he obtained the official figures he could not mako any comment'.

"No Government Interference." Tho Treasurer and Minister of Railways, Mr. Stevens, said that under the terms of the Railway Act there could be no Government interference with the railway commissioners in regard to the employment of tho staff. "Some time ago," added Mr. Stevens, "I called for a report regarding the commissioners' retrenchment policy, but up (o the present I have not received it." Referring to the amount which will bo allotted tho commissioners for loan money expenditure this financial year for works now under construction and new works, Mr. Stevens stated that the total would be about £4,500,000, which was nearly as much as tho Government originally intended to givo them prior to tho decision of the Loan Council, which decided on a curtailment of loan expenditure for the present financial year. Tho average expenditure for the past eight years by New South Wales Governments in regard to loan money, said Mr. Stevens, was £11,000,000 annually. This year the Government proposed to expend £10,225,000, so that it would be seen this year's amount was little short of the average. On tho Harbour Bridge, which was a contract work, it was estimated that this year's expenditure would bo £1,300,000. Tho amount to bo allowed for the city railway would probably be about £1.000,000. It was the Government's policy that works in construction should bo completed as early as possible, so as to be made revenue-producing. Dismissal of Wages Staff.

A correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald recently stated that young men on the wages staff of the railways, on attaining the age of 21 years, after having served an apprenticeship of four to five years, aro to bo dismissed and thrown 011 the already congested labour market. He said further that young salaried officers attaining the ago of 21 years are to fill their places. He suggested the retirement of 1400 men in the department over 60 years of age. Such retirements. he stated, would make positions available.

Mr. Morris, when shown the letter, stated a business principle had been .followed in regard to the present retrenchments. To provide the junior clerical employees with work was better than dismissing them. The retrenchment of employees over 60 years of age was considered not to be a. wise step. These men were thoroughly experienced and could not be replaced in a moment. Nor would it be economy, as they would bo retired under the superannuation scheme. The commissioners would have to bear the cost in addition to the salaries of their successors.