THE RAILWAYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 14 January 1931, Page 5

THE RAILWAYS

POLICY OF GOVERNMENT PARTY CAUCUS REQUESTED ACTION BY G. C. BLACK ♦ A party caucus lias been asked for to consider the lailwuy policy. Mr G. C. Black, member for Motueka, to-day despatched the following telegram to Mr G. C. Munns, M.P., chief Government Whip As the recent public statement and the two telegrams received by the Nelson Provincial Progress League yesterday from the Hon. Mr Ransom indicate a reversal of the railway construction policy of the United Party as enunciated at the last election, and as members of the party were not consulted before the decision was announced, I would be glad if you could arrange for a caucus to be held as soon as possible after the return of the Rt. Hon. Mr Forbes. FINDING WORK

GOVERNMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY

Mr Black this morning sent the following telegram to the Acting Prime Minister:— “With reference to the statement which I telephoned to Mr Atmorc yesterday morning and the resolution of the Nelson Progress League concerning the condition of men who were working on the Midland Railway, and your reply to the League, I desire to urge most emphatically that it is the Government’s responsibility to find work for these men immediately, first because of the election pledges of 1928, and secondly because had the announcement been made before the men left for their holidays on 19th December last, at which time it must have been known to Cabinet that the policy was to be reviewed, the workers would not be in the present position. In addition to the statement which was forwarded to you yesterday, the Murchison paper of 12th instant states that the method used in closing down is a further grave injustice. When the men are given employment on the works they are supplied with necessary tools, mattresses, etc., and these must be returned before they leave in order to draw any money due. This regulation is of course only a reasonable safeguard for the Department, but the manner in which it is employed under the circumstances of closing down was again unjust, Instructions were issued to pay off all the day wages’ men on Wednesday last. These numbered about 100, including married men with large families. Before they could secure the money due to them all equipment had to be returned. This they did, and as it was impossible for them to leave that day many were forced to sleep on board floors and some so placed were men with families of six or seven children. Again these men had supplies and other of their own equipment on hand, which, they could not possibly take with them and they had to be sacrificed. It is a fact that no consideration had been shown workmen oi these works, and surely they were entitled to some as there are many men and women there with large families who do not kqojy. jyljat.JJie future has for them and are in despair where the next meal will come from. While the men were being paid off on the Wednesday afternoon two .truck loads ot sleepers arrived at Gowan Bridge station yards, and these 1 were being unloaded by other workmen. There are approximately 15,000 stacked there. It was truly a ridiculous situation —the works stopped, men being paid off, and more material still arriving. Your viewpoint on this comment will be appreciated. The position of the men is such that work must be found in the district and an indication of the land settlement schemes to which they may go should be given. At the moment settlers of Murchison district are more concerned about the welfare of these workmen than the general question, and immediate action will bo welcomed. Is it the intention of the Government, to remove huts, dwellings, and other material ftom the works?”