BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 759, 4 September 1929, Page 7

BARRAGE OF QUESTIONS

TELEGRAPH DISMISSALS MINISTER UNDER FIRE (THE SUNS Parliamentary Reporter) "WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Many questions were fired at the Postmaster-General, the Hon. J. B. Donald, in the House of Representatives this afternoon, particularly in respect of temporary linesmen who have been dismissed. Notice was given by Air. C. H. Chapman (Wellington North) to ask the Minister if he were aware that grave discontent existed in the Post and Telegraph Department as a result of the operations of the Appeal Board, and if, in view of the very few appeals upheld, lie did not think the board were a farce. From April 1 1928, to July 30, 1929, seven appeals out of 665 were upheld—a percentage of 1.05. Mr F. Langstons (Waimarino) asked whether the original programme of telephone work made by the engineers for the current year had been reduced by the departmental head, and whether—-if that work had been gone on with—the services of temporary men would have been dispensed with. Mr. J. O’Brien (Westland), in his question, asked if, in view of the acute unemployment problem, a more vigorous policy of telephone installation could be pursued to keep the men in work. Asking an urgent question, Air. F. Lie (Waikato) wanted to know if the Alinister were aware that 35 temporary employees in the Hamilton district had been discharged last week. Many of them had lengthy service. AVhat arrangements had be ® u n ,l arl , e , for their re-engagement? J” 1 ’- II- Semple (Wellington East): I hey are sacking them all over the country. Mr. Donald, replying to Air. Lye. said that the meu were temporarily employed only, and the work on which they were engaged was finished, as also was the money allocated for it. Mr. Semple: Some of them have been employed for ten years. The Alinister said that he was looking into the position, and if anything could be done it would be.