RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 295, 13 December 1901, Page 3

RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION.

MB HALL-JONES ON THK DISMISSAL QF MEN. PSB PRESS ASSOCIATION, Wellington, Deeemterl2. Speaking at a banquet in connection with the < peninj, of the new bridge near Eketahuna to-day, Hon. HallJones referred to the reports that hid been published regarding the dismissal of men from railway work". He declared the reason was Dot owing to shortness of money. The same course had been followed lately as in former years, i A certain sum of money was voted by Parliament, and ic was the duty of the Administration to keep within that vote. Th°re were alsi facilities for men getting private employment in summer which did no 1 , exist in winter. I When winter came round again he hop=d ti be able to offer further employment, with equal advantage to the colony and greater benefit to the men. Mr Hogg, M.H.R., who wab present, said that while he appreciated the good work of the Ministers, it was an undoubted fact that railway work was better and cheaper done in summer than in , winter. It was greatly to be regret'ed that the Government should every year reduce the number of men employed a few weeks before Chris'mas. During th« day Mr. Hogg was presented with a purse of sovereigns and an address, by the settlers.