Dismissals Of Railwaymen To Stop, Minister Promises.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19119, 11 July 1930, Page 6

Dismissals Of Railwaymen To Stop, Minister Promises.

SAYS HE IS SORRY REORGANISATION OF THE WORKSHOPS EVER TOOK PLACE.

(Special to the “ Star.”) WELLINGTON, July 11. THIRTY MEN under notice of dismissal from the Hutt railway shops, accompanied by trade union leaders and Labour members, appealed for a suspension of action to the Minister of Railways (the Hon W. A. Veitch). The whole situation as affecting workshops was discussed. Answering a question from Mr MTlvride as to what he meant by rationing, the Minister replied that if every man in the service, from the general manager downwards, gave a week’s service without pay, he hoped it might be possible to reabsorb the men who had been dismissed.

Mr MTlvride, general .secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, asked the Minister to stay his hand until the executive could meet on Monday and make an official representation. The gravest apprehension was felt by railwaymen throughout the Dominion as the dismissals reported were: 50 at Hillside, about 100 at Addington, 85 at Hutt, 50 at the Kaiwarra maintenance shops, 30 at Eastcwn, 90 at Otahuhu, and he believed, proportionate numbers in various districts throughout New Zealand. Many of these men had long service and some had suffered through accident, then received compensation and were given light employment. Now they' were dismissed. Mr MTlvride quoted some pathetic cases of hardship and declared that he had word from various districts that work was available if the Minister of Finance would find the money'.

“We believe the Government is becoming a bit panicky and is putting men off with the result that they will get short-handed for running the railway service,” he said. He urged a delay so that at least alternative employment could be found. The men should not be thrown on the labour market in the dead of winter.

Mr Ingram, secretary' c*f the Tradesmen's Association, described the drastic reductions as unprecedented in the railway, service. Due consideration had not been given before the action, because men with long" and faithful service were going out. He could definitely' prove that some of these men with over twenty years’ service were absolutely first-class workers. An efficiency* policy had merit only if it could be applied with justice. Were the dismissals necessary’? After mature consideration he believed that high workshops costs could not be associated with the men. Valuable economies could be achieved by throwing overboard expensive systems. Years ago there was talk of a surplus staff which in 1925 totalled 150, and it was considered that the usual retirements would bring the position to normal in five years: but to-day they were told that the railways were carrying a surplus staff of 2000. “If you put them all off you could not carry on the railways,” said Mr Ingram. The only plumber employed in the Westport district was being dismissed. Economies wete needed, but not by attacking the rank and file. The Minister of Railways replied that he found himself in an extremely

difficult position. Railway losses this year were estimated at £i,300,000, and economies were urgently needed.

The railway shops had been employing much larger numbers than they could employ continuously in order to overtake arrears due to workshops reorganisation, “which I am very sorry ever took place,” he said.

Expenditure on repairs last year was £256,000 in excess of the previous year In face of the figures it was obviously impossible to keep all workshops employees fully at work. These were not the only economies, because others would follow.

The Minister suggested that the, leaders of railway organisations might consider the rationing of work. He believed this to be practicable and hoped to consult the organisations on the subject. There was not enough money in the Railway Account to employ all at full time, and if a more humane way could .be found of meeting the situation he would be delighted. Every case was hard, but he invited the men’s leaders to submit details of exceptional cases. If future work was anticipated, it would be possible to keep things going but the money was not available Locomotive building was confined to twenty shunting engines. The Minister of Finance had limited revenue available, as it was low in all depart ments; but there were certain features of capital expenditure which were under consideration. He could make no promises at present. Alternative employment was a problem he must submit to the Minister of Public Works. He would like to keep the men within the service, and if a rationing scheme was practicable it would be adopted. He emphatically stated that the department was not dismissing men because they were of a low grade. It was no attack on the rank and file. “I give you my word no more men will be put off,” the Minister concluded. Mr MTlvride: Can you retain the men whose notices are expiring to-day?

The Minister undertook to consider this during the afternoon, but he could not promise anything. The deputation left the Minister with the understanding that the executives of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Railway Tradesmen’s Association would meet within a few days and would be ready, on the Minister’s return from Invercargill, with definite opinions on the whole question of the rationing of work in the railway service.