NO MORE DISMISSALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1080, 18 September 1930, Page 16

NO MORE DISMISSALS

MR. RANSOM REITERATES DENIAL GOVERNMENT’S COAL POLICY THE STTN'B Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Wed. Once more a. denial that the Government intended dismissing men in the Railways and Public Works Departments was made by the Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, today. He did so in answering an urgent question from the Loader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland, who also sought information concerning the Government’s policy in the coal situation. Mr. Holland asked Mr. Ransom whether he was yet in a position to make a statement regarding the Government’s policy in relation to dismissals from the Railway Department and Public Works Department, and also in respect of the coal situation. “The policy of the Government in the matter of the number employed in these departments has not been altered," replied Mr. Ransom, “and there is no present intention to make reductions of staff in them. It must, however, be recognised that it is imposible for the Government to give an undertaking that no reductions will take place under any condition that may arise, that being entirely dependent on the available funds and the economic value of the work to be carried out. “With regard to the coal situation, it is recognised that the new conditions created in Australia necessitate action for the protection of the New Zealand coal producing industry. This question, however, is involved in the reciprocal tariff agreement now current between this Dominion and Australia, no departure from which can be made without six months’ notice being given. The question will shortly be considered by Cabinet with a view to deciding whether sucli notice should be given.”