RAILWAY RELIEF WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 7 December 1929, Page 3

RAILWAY RELIEF WORKS

MINISTER’S STATEMENT.

WELLINGTON Dee. 3

A definite statement that it was impossible to employ - permanently all men employed on railway construction work was made by the Minister of Public Works, the Hon. E. A. Ransom, to a. deputation representing the Jsew Zealand Workers’ Union. He told Mr Cook, the secretary, that if the Government’s hands were forced there would be no alternative Imt to dismiss men, and the onus must e on Mr Cook himself. The Minister denied that any instructions had gone out that any standard works should be brought down to the -standard of relief works It was only the promise of the Government to find work for everybody that led to placng relief workers in railway camp? “Apparently,” said Mr Ransom answering one of Mr Cook’s questions, “you are more concerned about lioli days and so on than about finding men work. It seems to me that once a. man is placed on relief worlds he sets about to make it a standard job and stick there.” If it was found possible to retain men they would be nnd ' standard employees, but if it was not they would have to be found work elsewhere or else discharged.