RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 249, 15 July 1919, Page 5

RAILWAY RESTRICTIONS

1- ■ UNEMPLOYMENT INCREASING. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurcb, July-14. "Unemployment is steadily, increasing owing to the restriction of the 'railway services," stated Mr. E. M. Charters, District Repatriation Officer, to-day. He added that before tho :estriction of the railway services the board was gradually decreasing the numbers. of men oil its books, but at present the position was becoming worse and worse. Asked whether the board had been able to send any men to the West Coast to work in the coal mines, Mr. CltUrters stated that very few men would accept such ment. "If they .would go to the AVest' Coast I could place hundreds of men at .work," he saidj "but if the men will not go to such employment the board cannot do anything in, the matter." ■ PROTEST BY EMPLOYEES. By Telegraph—Press Association. Duiiodin, July 14.' The Dunedin 'branch of. the .Amalgamated Society of Railway .Servants passed a motion protesting against the action of the Government,in curtailing the railway service, thereby ' paralysing many industries, and creating unemployment at ft time when seasonal occupations are completed and 'large bodies of soldiers are returning, and .calling on the Government to resume the railway Bervice in Otago by using focal coals for all trains carrying non-perishable goods as a necessary means, of opening up new avenues of employment and absorbing .unemployed. ■ . REQUEST TO LOWER HUTT ■ COUNCIL. ,At the meeting of the Lower Hutk Borough Council last' evening, a resident of the borough (Mr. Wright) waited on the .council and asked permission to bring before .them certain matters in con. nection with tho railway "cut." Mr. Wright stated that the Government made the first excuse for tho railway "cut" that the men had gone to the front, and the staff was greatly reduced. This was not so, because ho knew of over forty men who had left the service because they were dissatisfied with the conditions. The Railway Department had just- as much coal in reserve now as they had six months ago. ITe had come personally to ask the council to pass a want of confidence motion in the present rilway management. The Mayor stated that froni his own personal knowledge over 50 per cent, of the railwaymcn had gone to the front, so Mr. Wright was wrong.on that point. As far as tlio coaf. supply was concerned they all knew that the shortage was a very serious one, The miners were not working full time, and now they were asking for shorter hours, which would still further reduce the output. He did not think it would bo necessary to pass such a resolution. The matter was then allowed to drop.