PROTEST MEETINGS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1931, Page 5

PROTEST MEETINGS

BY RAILWAY WORKERS. tßy Telegraph—Press Association). GISBORNE, January 12. An urgent appeal from a Church Army Officer at the Railway camps for bread for dismissed workers families. was read at Holy Trinity Church yesterday, as a result of which 200 loaves were sent out this morning. Barge meetings of workers at various camps passed a resolution protesting emphatically against the manner in which the Government had closed the works, after having given the Union assurance that the men would have work to come hack to after the Christmas vacation. The resolution points out the extreme unfairness of bringing the employees hack to camp after the vacation only to receive notice of dismissal, and characterises the action as particularly callous, adding that approximately two thousand, including departments, are effected by the Government’s decision. The Mayor of Gisborne states he had an assurance from the Minister of Works ’before leaving "Wellington, that positions would ho found for the men. some immediately and others as soon as opportunity offered. It is understood that the men could „ot he left on the hands of the local Unemployed Board and charitable organisation. " The Gisborne Railway Delegation Committee meets this week to organise further representation in anticipation of the return of the Prime Minister.