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New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10717, 11 October 1920, Page 6

With reference to the petition presented in the House of Representatives last week, asking for an enquiry regarding the feasibility of the Crown purchasing 'the rights hold by the Tongariro Timber Company, a shareholder of the company has drawn attention to a memorandum sent to members of the Cabinet last February, this recalls! that the company was given protection for two years after the conclusion of the war. Referring to a suggestion made last year that the Government desired to purchase the company’s buslies, it was proposed that: ‘‘lf the Government wishes to acquire the whole of the bushes, the price, failing muituol agreement, be submitted to a competent tribunal to assess value." The "Locomotive Engineers’ Journal” states that at the last Grand Council meeting it was decided to 'pproach th'o A.S.Tt.fi. and 1t.0.1. wilq a scheme of federation. Negotiations for the introduction of a 44-hour week for train running men_ have, been going on with the Minister for • some time now (says the "Loco. Engineers’ ournal”), and at the-last interview between the Minister and the Loco. Association a deadlock was reached. The Minister, -without, any reason, objected to the smaller proportion of the staff (running stiff) receiving a 44-hour week. If there is any branch of the service, the journal comments, which should receive a 44-hour week, it is the men who work irregular hours and in all weather*.