EAST COAST RAILWAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 8

EAST COAST RAILWAY

REQUEST FOR COMPLETION RELIEF WORKERS SUGGESTED [ Per Press Association.] GISBORNE, June 29. At a conference of representatives of the Cook. Waikohu, Wairoa, Uawa, Matahaoa and Waiapu counties held to-day, the importance of completing the work of the Napier-Gisborne railway line as a relief job was stressed. Mr A. G. Nolan (Wairoa) said thar the line was so far through that it seemed a national waste to discontinue the work, particularly when the rates of pay were so low compared with those ruling previously. The Hon. A. E. Ransom had informed the deputation at Wellington that the average pay on the line was 17s 2d a day, which capitalised, would naturally make the line hopeless as a paying proposition, but the position would be different under relief conditions. Another point was that the avenues of relief work were rapid-v becoming exhausted. He said they should not allow the Railway Board to dominate ihe position, ana if the request were refuse ! a strong deputation should be sent to Wellington.

After further discussion ou somewhat simalar lines, the following resolution was proposed by the chairman, Mr C. Matthews (Cook County), and carried: “That this conference impresses on the Government the necessity and desirability of completing the Napier-Gisborne railway under the unemployment relief scheme at relief rates of pay, and suggest that thereby a large number of unemployed could be absorbed in a useful work and one that would be of advantage to - the East Coast and the Dominion as a whole.”