THE MIDLAND LINE

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

THE MIDLAND LINE

MINISTER’S REPLY TO PROGRESS LEAGUE

“NO FURTHER CONSTRUCTION WORK”

CONSIDERATION OF RELIEF WORK IN THE DISTRICT

Town members of the Nelson Progress League met this morning to receive the Hon. E. A. Ransom’s reply to the message sent yesterday in regard to relief for workers on the Midland line who were paid off yesterday. Mr F. G. Gibbs was in the chair.

As no reply had been received by three o’clock yesterday afternoon the following resolution was forwarded to the ActingPrime Minister: “The League is still sitting, anxiously awaiting a reply to its telegram of this morning. If the men are dismissed what work is available immediately other than the construction rf the Midland line? The men are strand ed and ■ will be without food after today. The case is most urgent.” The Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. i E. A. Ransom, replied as follows: “With reference to your telegram the Governmentdoes not intend to proceed with railway construction works, but certain works necessary to complete the line to Gowan Bridge and to protect dangerous places beyond will be carried out, involving an expenditure of £SOO, preference to be given to men with the largest families now on the job. The question of providing works in the district is receiving consideration. It is difficult to credit the League’s reference to absolute destitution amongst the men who have been in employment for some considerable time and who received a certain amount of pay on dismissal. Quite a percentage of employees are being paid for the holidays in addition to the time actually worked since last pay.” “DESTITUTION A FACT’ The League decided to send the following message to the Hon. E. A. Ransom : “Unfortunately the threatened destitution, whether justifiable or not, is not a mere surmise but a fact. If the men are dismissed, the Government must accept onus of supporting them, as Nelson City cannot take responsibility, especially as there are 124 registered unemployed already in town. We would strongly urge the continuation of the work at least till the Hon. G. W. Forbes can review the situation. ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPUTATION TO PRIME MINISTER The Hon. H. Atmore and Mr G. C. Black, M.P. for Motueka, have been asked that in view of the Hon. Ransom’s telegrams they arrange for a deputation

to interview the Prime Minister as soon as possible after his return. LABOUR LEADER’S SUPPORT Mr 11. E. Holland, Leader of the Labour Party, has sent a message to the Acting-Prime Minister strongly supporting the Nelson Progress League’s resolutions.

ABSORBING DISMISSED MEN STATEMENT BY HON. E. A. RANSOM (By Telegraph—Press Association) WELLINGTON, This Day. Reference to the absorption of unemployed on developmental works was made by the Acting-Prime Minister, the Hon. E. A. Ransom in discussing a report from Nelson that men put off the Midland railway construction works wore being left destitute. Mr Ransom said it was hoped to place at least 100 men on road work connected with the State Land Department within the next week. A further 100 men would be placed within three weeks. Final 'arrangements had not been made. lie did not wish to state in the meantime the exact localities in which work would be provided. A s far as the cessation of work on the Midland line was concerned Mr Ransom said ho was in touch with various Government departments with a view to providing work for the men put off. Ho was at a loss to understand reports concerning acute distress among men, seeing that they finished work only that day, and those who had been on the work for two years or more would receive at least four weeks pay. 1 hese constituted about 30 per cent, of the total. No one would receive less than £4 on being paid off. LIFTING OF RAILS CLEANING-UP OPERATIONS

WELLINGTON, This. Day. In a statement the Hon. E. A. Ransom explains that the lifting of rails on stopned railway works at Gisborne is only part of cleaning-up operations .with a view to making sure that there wil] be no deterioration of material. A certain number of rails would liave to be lifted in order to preserve them.