RETRENCHMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1930, Page 6

RETRENCHMENT

IN THE RAILWAYS

ißy Telegraph—Per Press Association

WELLINGTON, July 1

Resolutions protesting against the dismissal of casual railway employees and against the constitution of the Royal Commission, named for investigation of the Railway services, have been carried by the Thorndon branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants. At a meeting of the branch it was stated that some of the ‘casuals-’ had long service to their credit. . The resolution on the subjectstated. that the men who were mostly used to railway work were being forced on to an overstocked labour market, with the prospect of becoming a .'burden on either the State or on the municipalities. It was added: “We consider it would be better to retain them in their present positions where they can perform useful service even if this necessitates payment of a. subsidy by the Government to the Railway Department. There is a sad contrast between th e treatment meted out to these men and the increases granted to a large number of administrative officers.’’ In connection with the constitution of the Commission. a protest was recorded, and it was suggested that the Prime Minister should invite the railway seivants to appoint a representative. From Sunday week next, -the daylight Wellington’-Auckland Limited and the night expresses between Wellington and New Plymouth are to he eliminated. Through expresses be* + ween Christchurch lainjd Invercargill will run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays only, and mail trains between Christchurch and Dunedin on Mondays. Wednesday’s and Friday’s. The present night expresses between Christchurch and Invercargill will only go to Dunedin, leaving Christchurch on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Expressses will start from Invercargill only on Sundays, and will run from Dunedin to Christchurch on Sundays, Wednesdays and Friday’s. West Coast expresses will in future ; connect earlier with the south expresses. Lines to he closed on the South Island are: Cape Foul-wind branch,, Eyreton branch; Springburn branch between Mount Somers' and Springburn; Kcrow branch to- Hakata-rama; Tokerahi branch from Windsor; Tapanui branch between Heriot and Edievale, Glenham branch between Wyndliam and Glenham: Mossburn branch, and line between Tuatapei’c and Ora-wia.