WORKSHOP DISMISSALS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 December 1929, Page 11

WORKSHOP DISMISSALS

MINISTER ANSWERS MR. NASH

EFFORT TO FIND EMPLOYMENT.

THEIR RETENTION NOT JUSTIFIED

By Telegraph.—Press Assort tlon. ‘Wellington, Last Night. The dismissal on Christmas Eve of 160 casual workshop employees who have been thrown on the unemployed list, brought forth a protest from the newly-elected Labour member for Hutt, Mr. W. Nash, who telegraphed the Hon. W. B. Taverner, Minister of Railways, and the Hon. G. W. Forbes, Minister of Public Works. Mr. Nash received the following reply from Mr. Taverner: "Referring to your telegram, the subject has already been brought to my notice and the position is that the matter has been referred to Mr. Forbes, who controls , the employment of the men in question.' With you I.regrct: the; necessity for relieving the men, but the matter was very carefully considered at the recent meeting of the committed ‘Which directed the present action, as ho justification existed for the retention of the men.” Mr. Nash received the following telegram from Mr. Forbes: “I am sorry to hear of the dismissal of the men from the railway workshops which, I understand, was owing to the work they were engaged on being finished. 1 have communicated with an unemployment officer asking him to see if further work can be found.”