RAILWAY WORKERS' WANTS.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 13428, 10 July 1914, Page 3

RAILWAY WORKERS' WANTS.

THE MINISTER'S REPLY.

. (From our Parliamentary Reporter j WELLINGTON, this day. Mr Coates introduced a deputation to Mr Fraser from the Railway Construction Uiuon to-day. The concessions sought included a uniform Avage of 10& per day, a 44-hour Aveek, supply of fret huts, right of men to select their oavh gangs, quick payment after measurement of work, and recognition of the union representatives regarding grieA*ances. The Minister said they could hardly expect a definite answer on all the subjects. He had previously pointed out the mistake of allowing men to pick their own gangs. Personally, he would always endeaA'or to see that good men were not mixed avjUi bad men. It Avas not always possible. He Avould inves- j tigate the matter carefully. The people would not continue to tolerate a system i Avhere men not Avanting to work were paid the same as hara workers. He j was looldng inbo bhe comparative costs, and also the matter of huts. He had j much S3 T nipathy Avith the suggestions of a change of houses. He did not suppose they meant to erect hot- water baths j m the country, though possible at tunnel Avorks. He Avas communicating with the Treasury respecting payment as soon as ! possible after measuring Avork. Regardl.mg recognition of the union, he thought jit would-be much better if the men had I representatives whp could go to an t authoritative official. If the Department did its part, he hoped tlie men Avould I stick to the principle of gi\nng a fair day's Avork. | A member: This deputation has no ; sympathy Avith loafers.* Mr Fraser: I hope not. Unless Avhat I say is <ariied out, the country would not 'stand it. lam not bringing a charge of loafing against workers, i bit :hcre is often a desire to do as little as •possible and get as much as possible. I Avill not -"tolerate any tyrannical attitude on the part of any "overseer.