RAILWAY APPEALS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3152, 2 August 1917, Page 7

RAILWAY APPEALS

A QUESTION IN PARLIAMENT. "Will'the Minister of Railways explain why his Department is appealing against the enlistment of First.Division men who have been drawn in the ballot when at .the same thneit is dispensing with the services of men who aro in every way qualified to do the work of those called up?" asked Mr. T. K. Sidey (Dunedin South) -in tho House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Sidey added that he did not think tho Minister would dispute the facts of tho position. . Names could be given if required. Some of the men who" weroybeing put off had been in the service for a. very long time. The reduction of staffs might bo necessary, but surely tho Department need not appeal for the right to retain balloted men. Tho Minister of Railways (tho Hon. W. H. Herries) said 'that he could not discus's .particular dismissals unless he was furnished with • the names. The . general position was that staffs were being reduced, particularly in the workshops, owing to the shortago of material. -Dr. Thacker (Christchurch East): 'Why don't you get material from.America? The' Minister: It is very difficult to get freight from there. Dr. Thaeker: There is any amount of freight. The Minister:. "The honourable gentleman had better consult the Minister of Munitions at Homo." Mr. Herries added that his Department had been compelled to reduce construction work, and this involved the discharging' of hands. The men in the service of the Railway Department were divided into four groups —permanent hands, regular casuals, term casuals, and emergency casuals. When staffs had to be reduced, the first men to go were the emergency casuals, tho next the term casuals, and then tho regular casuals. The permanent men were retained to the last. '. . ' "I am asked why we are appealing for . permanent 'hands, some of whom may be young men who could serve their country," continued the Minister. "They will eventually all ser.vo the country.' The reason why we appeal is to get a batch of men ready, and then- place the names before tho military authorities, so that these men mav be taken, and arrangements made to suit the convenience of tho Department. They will all go eventually, so long as they are found fit, and we only wish the Defence authorities would take them quicker than they have done up to tho present time. There has been difficulty in getting the men medically examined. Some of the men referred to by Mr. Sidey may be waiting for medical examination."