THE ADDINGTON INQUIRY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10062, 2 February 1909, Page 1

THE ADDINGTON INQUIRY.

(Peb Press Association.) Wellington, February 1. The allegations against the method of production at Addington railway workshops were discussed by the Executive Council of the Amalgamated Society of Railway .Servant? to-day. and as the workshop men arc members of the Society it was decided to do 'everything possible to secure a full' and impartial inquiry on their behalf. The Council hopes to secure an interview with the Hon. .}. A. Millar I Minister for Railways)., who is now in the north, and communicated with him for that purpose. It also telegraphed regarding the Addington inquiry as follows: "The Minister for Railways,' Auckland.— The Executive Council, now sitting, request that the following be included in the order of reference of the Addington inquiry—(1) Mr Ronayne's statement as to excessive cost of work at Addington ; (2) the alleged dishonesty in practising what Mr Konayne designated the "Government stroke" :" (3) • the men's alleged incompetence: (4) the officials' supposed connivance with the alleged dishonesty: (5) the officials' alleged incompetence as cvi deuced by , the cheaper and more effective results obtained at other railway workshops in the. Dominion; (6) the system of control exercised by the General Manager and his staff at -headquarters ; (7) the method of obtaining supplies-of material for 'use in railway workshops as compared with those in use by private firms; (8) the adoption of the" most modem methods and appliances : (9) that the men be allowed to nominate one member of the Board,. also that they be alLbwed an advocate (not a solicitor) to appear on their behalf-before the Board. v The men of the Addington Workshops have not :yet ascertained whether th'ey will' be permitted to be represented by some person outside the service at the inquiry in connection with the recent allegations. A suggestion has been made that- Mr T. E. Taylor, M.P.; should appear on ..behalf of the men : , and-it is-under-stood that he would' be willing to do so. A feature of the inquiry will be the crossexamination of the General Manager. (Mr Roria'yne) by the of . the men. Much information of an important character is being prepared for the purpose.