FRANKTON EMPLOYEES CRITICISE SUGGESTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19120, 12 July 1930, Page 9

FRANKTON EMPLOYEES CRITICISE SUGGESTION.

Per Press Association. HAMILTON, July 12. The suggestion of the Minister of Railways that all railway employees should contribute a week’s pay in order to prevent dismissals from the railway workshops is viewed in an unfavourable light by the railway men at Frankton Junction. If such a course were a remedy and not a relief the service as a -whole would doubtless be only too willing to agree to the suggestion. The consensus of opinion was that while railwaymen were eager to see the end of unemployment and willing to do their share towards its solution yet they considered the Minister s suggestion tantamount to a compulsory levy on the railwav men and they ask why should they be urged to this course and not other sections of the community. It was pointed out that workers in the railway workshops were quite separate from the railway service. Many of these were engaged in special work which apparently was now completed and they ask why should the regular service men, who were not well paid and lived from hand to mouth, be asked to contribute to this section of the unemployed.

MEN ARE NOTIFIED TO CONTINUE WORK. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 12. Fifty-three employees of the Otahuhu railway workshops who were given notice of dismissal a week ago have now been notified to continue work till further notice. SYMPATHETIC TONE IS APPRECIATED. Per Press Association. Keen appreciation is expressed in Labour circles of the attitude the Minister of Railways adopted at the deputation yesterday. , It is generally conceded that the Minister has shown sympathy with the railwaymen by making a practical suggestion, which, even if not acceptable t° *he men, has at least provided the basis of a discussion.