MR. MYERE FACING IT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1437, 11 May 1912, Page 4

MR. MYERE FACING IT.

(By Telecraph-Presa Association.) Christehurch, May 10. A deputation from the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce saw Sir. Myers to-day regarding tho railways. Mr. L. J[. Isitt, M.P., who introduced tne deputation, referred to tho linoago charges on the Lyttoiton-Christchurch line, which, ho raid, vrtro higher than anywhere else in New Zealand. He also drew attention to tho shortage of trucks, which was causing inconvenience, end also to the difficulty which had arisen in connection with overtime, nud the necessity for the early electrification of the tunnel. The Minister had uo doubt already recognised this. Tho Minister said that the trouble was a perennial one, and it had been accentuated this year by the wet season and Hid Sate harvest. In regard to the lin« charges, he said that it v&is the practice of tho Department to charge full rates on anything over four chains. Ho proposed to review the proposals for the construction of rolling stock, and increase them if necessary. As far as overtime was concerned, ship s overtime labour, prior I to February 1, was at 2s. per hour after j 5 'p.m., the ship paying Iβ, 6il. Of this labour the rates were increased from February 1 to 2s. 6tl, up to 10 p.m., and 2s. 3d. after 10 p.m. 'the railway paid j (id. as before, and the ship paid Is. B<l. or Is. Sd. It was now "overtime" after noon on Saturday. According to the recent agreement tor labour rates at Lytlelton, wade between tho Lytteltqn Labour Union and the shipping companies, the rnihvay did not chargo tho whole amount of wagos incurred in working overtime to each ship. Where inoro ships -than ono were working, the overtime wages' of men working partly for each ship would be decided. Ha recognised in regard to the examination of luggage that every .facility should Ise given, and, if it was possible to have it down in Christehurch, ho would bo pleased to givo instructions accordingly. Tho electrification of the tunnel would bo considered in connection with a _ comprehensive scheme for increasing facilities between Christchurch and Lytteliou. Ho asked the deputation to remember that, if the scheme wore promoted io . borrow money to carry out tho necessary work, it was not designed to bring about industrial chaos, but industrial prosperity. There wore very largo demands made on the Government, and tho most urgent would have to receive first attention.