THE ALLEGED TROUBLE AT DOMETT.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12459, 8 February 1909, Page 2

THE ALLEGED TROUBLE AT DOMETT.

CHARGES REFUTED liV THE . MINISTER. In regard to a telegram published in Saturday's issue in . reference to the alleged non-payment of. the cooperative workers on the railway extension works at Domett, the Minister for Public Works (the Hon. R. McKenzie) interviewed. by a "Colonist" reporter oh Saturday,, stated that although the works were started on October. 6tb most of the men did not start od thatj date. Tbe first pay took plaoe on November; 16th, ana the second pay day was December 16tb. This enabled the men' who lived along way from-the works to get home for their Christmas holidays if they so desired. The men stopped work from December 24th to January sth, "So far as I know," said the Minister, "of their own accord." .was resumed on January stb, and the next pay day was not due until February 4th, and this duly took place on tbat date. "I am of opinion, " said 'the Minister, "that the state-. . ment ssent through the Press Assooiation are prompted by a man named Campbell, w no appears to be well known to tue Public Works Department, if he ia the same Campbell who made himself famous m the North. Island Main Trunk , railway, the Department does not attach much importance to his representations.". Those were the official statements, supplied to tho Minister by the. Department , in Wellington. Up till Saturday tbe Hon. Mr McKonzie bad not , recoived the letter which was supposed to have been signed by fiftyfive of the co-operative labourer^ engaged on the railway construction ' works at Domett. '