RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11839, 20 April 1909, Page 5

RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

THE RECENT REDUCTIONS

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this clay. An attempt Was made by a' New Zealand Times representative yesterday to Secure from Mv T. . Ronayne (general manager of railwaj-s) a statement as to

how far dismissals from the railway workshops were likely to proceed. '•''lt' is all a matter of policy." said the general manager. "These dismissals have taken place, not only at Addington, but at Newmarket, Hillside, and • Petone shops, where men known by tlie, tenri 'casuals'" have completed their work, and nothing remains for them to do. ' There is -a shortage /of ordcrsj" added Mr Roriayne. A/We have; completed 250 12' ton waggons at Addihgton for the-Huru-nui-Bluff section, rind there is not another order for 250 waggons to keep the men employed'." ■ . '"Can you say if there are to be, further dismissals, Mr, Ronayne?'- ; "Tt, largely depends: on the development of the North Island Main Trunk line," implied the general manager. Tho slump in the timber traffic caused an uhldohed-for drop in the revenue, and we cannot go ori building if the revenue is dropping." '

"Are the dismissals likely <-'to'Y take place iii other sections of the service?"' 'Tt all depends upon the number of tfrair»s ;^un) "('answered Mr Ronayne; 'you cannot reduce- your traffic emEloyes unless you cut out trains: We ave no surplus men. If . it is decided to reduce the -train mileage, there could be a big reduction in enginemen, 'firemen, ymdmeo, etc., but if the , business is i to be done you, must have the men.'-'

Mr Ronayne - mentioned that the last, batch of men dismissed frpm Addirigtou included eight laborers, three ironmouiqers, eight boilermakers, seven up>" eight: turner, and /two fitters^ - '