MEN DISCHARGED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20599, 25 June 1930, Page 13

MEN DISCHARGED.

TRAMWAY WORKSHOPS. TEMPORARY UNEMPLOYMENT. Hie fact that a number of men had been discharged from the tramway workshops at Epsom was referred to by 3lr. E. J, Phelan at a meeting of the Transport Board yesterday. He asked why the services of the men had been dispensed with and whether an effort would be made to reinstate them. "A few men have been put oa because we have not got the material to go on with the building of the five new tramcars which the board is to construct in the workshops," replied the manager, Mr. A. E. Ford. "It is not cur policy to keep men employed in anticipation that there will be work for them to do, but only while there is actual work to be done. The men have not been dismissed, but discharged, and when the material arrives in about four weeks those men will ail be given their jobs again." Mr. Phelan said he could not understand the board's policy. The chairman and the manager went to Wellington to ask the Government to assist in relieving the unemployment problem with a sabsidy, yet while they were away men were put off.

The chairman, Mr. J. -A. C. Allum, said the men had been discharged reluctantly but only temporarily. They would be piven work as soon as possible. It did not affect more than four or five men. Mr. Phelan: There are more than that. Mr. Allum: Well, they are only put off temporarily.