TEE RAILWAYS

Southland Times, Issue 19291, 9 July 1924, Page 5

TEE RAILWAYS

RECLASSIFICATION UNDER WAY. MEETING MOTOR COMPETITION. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 8. The Minister of Railways informed a deputation from the Associated Chambers of Commerce to-day which asked when the new railway tariff schedule would be available, that the tariff had to be reprinted and anomalies cleared up, and then the question of the policy defined in respect to the readjustment of the tariff policy. When the reclassification of freights was completed the various interests would be consulted to ensure that no injustice was done to any particular section. He thought that certain powers would have to be taken by the Act, giving the management of the railways discretionary authority in connection with meeting the competition of motor vehicles. This situation had to be met. WHAT A FORTY’-EIGHT-HOUR WEEK MEANS. BIG SURPLUS OF LABOUR. WELLINGTON, July 8. In the House of Representatives this afternoon, replying to Mr D. Sullivan, Hon. G. J. Coates said that until the Court of Inquiry had concluded its investigations, it was impossible to say what hours would be fixed for railway workers. In the meantime, the men were working 48 hours. If those conditions were finally established, there would be a surplus of labour of about 1200 men, but it was not proposed to dispense with these men, as, with the ordinary variation of labour in connection with railways, it was expected that these men would be absorbed within twelve months.