LIGHT RAILWAYS.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 9 June 1920, Page 4

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

AND THU LABOUIv. ritOBLHM. To solve the labour problem in connection with the light railway scheme ior the middle of the island, the Maori x’ioneer Battalion is lo be re-formed on ei semi-military basis, says an ex- i change. This idea has been fully cun- 1 sidcred by Captain Dansey, who is at ilie head of the engineering side of the ■. ,\orh, and considers that the labour j nurtage 'is the chief dilliculty in the j way of light line construction. Captain I Banscy has already discussed the re- j formation of the Bionccr Battalion with ex-oilicers anil n.c.o. ; s, who were i ormerly oi the corps, and the idea is eO re-establish the battalion in its original formation, with a board of conrol consisting of oiliceis and non-coms. Pile men will be encamped at a base, .vhero supplies and equipment will bo stored, the encampment to be run on military principles, and it is not yet quite established how the work will be none. Probably the men will contract .or sections of line, or they may have sections allotted to them, with a bonus payable iu accordance with the speed and quality of the work. It is worthy of note that the returned men of the L’ioncer Battalion a’rc now experts in i-he work of railway construction, and | Captain Dansey expects that they can j .mild a line with a speed that has not j Hitherto been attained. The men ' themselves and the chiefs of the dif- I L ere ill tribes are very enthusiastic over J the scheme, and it is anticipated that j me iieturned Soldiers* Association will see its way to assist ihe movement.