NORTH AUCKLAND HARD HIT BY RETRENCHMENT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19272, 8 January 1931, Page 9

NORTH AUCKLAND HARD HIT BY RETRENCHMENT.

MEN EMPLOYED ON RAILWAY DISMISSED. Per Press Association. WHANGAREI, January 8. North Auckland is hard hit by the Government railway retrenchment policy. Although only four miles remains to complete the line to its termination at the Rangiahua River, work has been definitely ceased on the Okaihau section. Returning after the holidays yesterday 200 men were ordered to hand in their tools. Most of the single men. to the number of 50, were paid off six weeks ago, and the married men went to spend the Christmas vacation with their families in ignorance that they would be unemployed after the New* Year. The first intimation that they received that their positions were in jeopardy was when they read the statement of y the acting-Prime Minister. Even then the opinion was general, both among the men and the business people of Okaihau, that the work would continue for at least four months, and, as a result, many of the holiday-makers exhausted the last of their funds. A small number have been retained for cleaning up. It is understood that a limited quota can be assimilated at Arapuni, but it is doubtful whether there will be sufficient quarters available for the married men. The cookhouses at Okaihau are supplying the men with food until Saturday, after which the situation will be crucial. The majority owe for their December meals and for private trading bills contracted in the township.

Nothing definite is known concerning future construction work.

On the Dargaville sections the line has been pushed ahead almost to the town, and it is expected that the formation will be completed in about six months. No men have been discharged for five months and the 198 employed, including a number of unmarried men, resumed work as usual yesterday.

INDIGNATION EXPRESSED BY DARGAVILLE PEOPLE.

Ter Press Association. DARGAVILLE. January 8. Men engaged on the railway construction work on the final section of the Tangowahine-Dargaville line, of which all but about one mile and a half is nearly complete, were given a week’s notice this morning. They resumed after the Christmas vacation yesterday, and, as far as can be ascertained, have not been offered work elsewhere. The number of men affected is upwards of 160, mostly married men. A public meeting is to be held on Monday to consider what action can be taken in connection with the closing. Much indignation is expressed in the district, as under a month’s work would have given another five and a half miles of completed railway and have brought the terminus within a mile and a half of Dargaville. The hope is still expressed that owing to the fact that the work is so near completion it may be resumed after March 31.