RAILWAY WORKS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1932, Page 5

RAILWAY WORKS

AT RELIEF RATES

STRESSED AT CONFERENCE. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) GISBORNE, June 29. A conference of the representatives of the Cook, Waikohu, Wairoa, Uawa, Matahaoa and Waiapu counties was held to-day, at which the importance of completing the work on the NapierGisborne railway line, as a relief job, was stressed.

Mr A. G. Nolan (Wairoa) said that this line was <so far through that it seemed a national waste to discontinue the work, particularly when the rates of pay would lve new so low ns compared with those ruing previously. He said that the Hon. Air Ransom had informed a- deputation at Wellington that the average pay on the line was 17s 2d per day, which, capitalised, would naturally make the line hopeless ns a paying proposition; but the Position would bo different under relief conditions. Another) point was that the avenues for relief work were rapidlv becoming exhausted. lie said that they should not nSlow Hie Railway Board to dominate the position, and that, if their request were refused, a strong deputation should be sent to Wellington. After further discussion along somewhat similar Hines, the following resell tion, proposed by He Chairman, Mr O. Matthews (Cook County), w?>s carried : “That this Conference impresses on the Government the necessity and desirability of completing the NapiorGisborne railway under the unemployment relief scheme at relief rates of pay, and >piig*rest that, thereby, a large number of the unemployed lie absorbed in a useful work, and one that would he of a civil tage to the East Const and the Dominion as a whole.”