RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18617, 12 July 1930, Page 8

RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

DISMISSALS IN ABEYANCE. By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, July 11The Addington railway workshops employees who are at present under notice of dismissal are to be maintained in work until Wednesday next, according to advice received to-day by the workshops manager. It is understood that the Government will confer w*ith the A.S.R.S. early in the w*eek. The manager has no advice that dismissals at the workshops are to cease. All he know’s at present is that the dismissal notices have been postponed until Wednesday. HUTT MEN WAIT ON MINISTER. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, July 11. About forty men recently dismissed from the Lower Hutt railway workshops, waited on the Hon. W. A. Veitch to-day, asking that they should either be reinstated or found alternative employment. They asked also that the policy of dismissals should cease, at least until there had been a full inquiry into the position at the workshops.

Replying, Mr Veitch referred to the parlous state of the finances of the Department, remarking that this year there would be a loss of £1,300,000. Under the conditions the Department could not possibly retain all the present employees, but he was prepared to consider with the leaders of the railwaymen’s organisation a system of rationing work. He undertook to withhold until Wednesday night the notices of dismissal served this week. Mr Veitch admitted that by anticipating neefessary work, it might be possible to keep men on, but the Department had not the money, and the Minister of Finance was himself in great difficulties.