RAILWAY CASUALS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18622, 18 July 1930, Page 9

RAILWAY CASUALS

WORK AVAILABLE BUT NO MONEY. By Telegraph—Press A«oclation. WELLINGTON, July 17. Shortage of finance rather than lack of work is the official reason for railway staff dismissals, according to the statement issued to-day by the Railway Tradesmen’s Association. The president of the Association, Mr E. J. Mulligan, states that, following on drastic reductions in the workshops’ staffs, and representations by a deputation to the Minister of Railways, the Executive Council of the Association met in Wellington. The Council had since been continually in session and consultation. A Committee of representatives of the four railway societies again met the Hon. W. A. Veitch to-day. Mr Mulligan said later: “It was admitted by the Minister that there was sufficient work available in the workshops to retain those men under notice of dismissal, the trouble being not shortage of work, but lack of capital. As requested by the Consultation Committee, the Minister of Railways conferred with the Prime Minister and his colleagues with a view to obtaining a larger grant for the Department. Mr Veitch stated to-day that it was impossible to arrange this, and the men under notice would have to go. He estimated, however, that he would give further consideration to any individual cases of hardship, particularly to cases of long-service casual workers, with a view to their retention. Mr Mulligan said a larger deputation was being arranged for a meeting with the Hon. G. W. Forbes, as Minister of Finance. The object was to stress the necessity for providing the finance required to retain all men under notice of dismissal, since, according to the Minister of Railways, they could be more economically and productively employed than if they were on Public Works relief jobs.