A REASONABLE REQUEST.

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2730, 27 March 1916, Page 7

A REASONABLE REQUEST.

Sir, —There are a number of men engaged on the works at the military camp here, in the employ of the P.AV. Department. Many of these men have been on tho works' for a period extending iu some casos to lioarly six months, and during that time they have had few opportunities of visiting their homes in Wellington, owing to tho long hours which wore worked in view of the necessity of completing the camp construction.

An opportunity now presents itself, in tho shape of tho troop train which leaves here at 5.10 on Saturday, and returns at 6.30 on Sunday from Wellington. If •this train were made available, tho men could reach AVellington and spend the week-end with their families without any break in =the working hours, and consequently without interfering with the work of construction.

Application has heen made for the concossiori, through the military- authorities, but the men are now informed that the Unihvay Department will not carry civilians on troop trains. This is unfortunate, and goes to show that there is a moat lamontahle lack of coordination amongst tho Departments concerned.

This coicossioii as regards the trains would go fur to make the lot of the workmen more bearable, as tho monotony of lifo in the construction camp is becoming increasingly noticeable from its effect on tho spirits of the men. Surely in a matter of this kind 1 regulations mig-it be put aside, especially as the workmen are to all intents and purposes on military works while, engaged 111 the cainp. Cannot the General Manager of Eailways (who is also Director of Camp and Barrack Construction) sec further thdii'-tho length of "his nose? If you can bring the " influence of your paper to bear and gain this concession for these men you will be doing a service to the ccmmunity at large.—l am, et-;, ■ ONE OF THE MEN. Feathereton, March 24. [It iB hard to believo that the request here made has been brought under the notice of the propor authorities. It is a reasonable enough one, and the heads of tho Departments concerned will no doubt give it the attention it deserves.]