A DEPUTATION

Hokitika Guardian, 22 May 1931, Page 5

A DEPUTATION

FROM RAILWAY WORKERS. (By Telegraph —Per Press Association) STRATFORD, May 22. A deputation from the Tangarakau railway construction workers placed their case before a Chamber of Commerce special meeting. The deputation pointed* out that the cessation of work was not a strike but a lock-out. The men were given sis days’ notice to terminate their old contracts and accept; new one embodying cuts wages,” said Mr Campbell, one of the •speakers, “They considered the reductions unfair hut had offered to continue on day wages till some arrangement with the Department could he made. The offer had been refused. The 'Government had passed legislation in connection with the 10 per cent' cut but on works such as at Titagarakau cuts ranged from 10 per cent, to as much ns 50 per cent. The average outside man was suffering to the extent of 37. - per cent.” Mr Campbell quoted a case of a man on contract whose earnings in 1930 amounted to £212. Under the reduction the man who had. had a wife and family would receive only Cl7o for 12 months. That was a man who had put in the maximum time possible. “Do you wonder we refuse to accept such terms?” Mr Campbell asked, “The men did not. want to binder the progress of the work and would go back to-morrow on day wages. We are prepared to accept the 10 per cent reduction but outs up to 50 per cent, we consider unjust and that we have been singled, out for special ' retTuct* tions,” said Mr Fade, another, speaker. He suggested a tribunal be set up to go fully into the question ns workers had no Arbitration Court to which they could apply. The Chamber will consider the matter at the next meeting.