THE RAILWAYMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1931, Page 5

THE RAILWAYMEN

RATIONING NOT FAVOURED.

(By Telegraphs—Per. Press A ssoeiation )

WELLINGTON,’ Dec. 19.

The railway workshop, employees oppose Mr.Coate’s rationing proposal.

There was a recent interview of the Tradesmen’s Association- representatives with the JU. Hon J. G. Coates, as Minister of Unemployment, to discuss the workshops dismissals. Mr Coates then asked the men’s "Organisation to ascertain the opinion of members on a- rationing system with a view of obviating further dismissals. Though it was known that l , the Railway Board had expressed adverse opinion on this system, Mr Coates considered that,, under .the cumstnnc-es, if the. men gave, definite approval to it, he might be able, to induce the Railway Board to accept rationing, >

Mr Ingram, General Secretary ot the Railway Tradesmen’s Association,, lias just completed a tour of the chief workshops to discuss this subject with the men. Formerly a skilled tradesman’s wage wds £5 3s 7d weekly, but with the wage cut, superannuation and sick benefit' dedijetions, increased rents and wages tax, their net wages is £4 13s.

“They feel,” said Mr Ingram,- “thnt they have' reached the limit of sacrifice and cannot manage on less. Our men, naturally, are anxious to help their fellows, 200 of whom are under notice of dismissal, but they cannot manage it, nor do we think there is a' necessity for such drastic curtailment, following on a long series of dismissals as the railway workshops have now got to the stage where the department has dispenced with some of its normal staff and has less than the number needed for coping with the normal maintenance programme.” Mr Ingram expresses the opinion that as m'any of the casuals now under notice have from twelve to twenty years’ service with the Department they should be regarded in the same position as permanent members and not he dismissed.

If the proposed dismissals eventuate there will be no casuals left in the Otahuiiu, Hillside and Addington Workshops and only a small number at Hutt.