THE GOVERNMENT STROKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 328, 21 January 1909, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT STROKE

OFFICIAL INQUIRY TO BE HELD. VIEW'S OF THE MINISTER FOK RAILWAYS.

G)- Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. 'Hie "Government stroke" jillcgn-. lions in regard to the Addiuglou railway \vorksho|)s are to be the subjeel of an immediate oflicial inquiry, 'and a New Zealand Times' representative learned from the Minister for Railways' to-night that the railway workshops, throughout tire country will come under close scrutiny, though the adverse report upon workshop methods does not extend to them. "1 am causing full in<)u'ry to be made into the whole of (he statements," explained Mr. Millar, "and will deal with the position according to the result. The visitor who woni, through the place is a man who knows exactly what he is talking about." "Will you call him as a witness?"

'•I am not prepared to say Unit," was t'li;' Minister's reply. "Tbit'witlioul liim we can deei.le whether the work at Addition has eost more tlian at other work-shops, departmental or private. All 7 want is a fair day's work for a fnir (lav's pay from every man in the service: but if we (hul thai in one simp, where there is every facility for turning out work most economically, that it is not being done, then full inquiry ha; to lie made as to the cause. Tl'i'i; fault must lie soitiewbere." "Are other nrlwav workshops afl'ecticd hy lhe allegations?" To this query the Minister gave a negative an-wcr. '■ As far as T know.' be added, "the work in otlier shops b being turned out satisfactorily, but 1 I am waiting detailed information regard iiivj their cost of production. I (ail tc see why the workshops, which are sup posed to contain as skilled men as arc to be obtained, should not lain mi: the work as cbeaply as any private firm seeing that there is the plant available for turning out jobs •economically." •'And if the workshops are not do ing the work economically?" "Then," answered Mr. Millar, "tin ; question will liave to be considers whether it is not in the interests o i the country to call for tenders fron ■ .private firms for that class of work. ' have! no desire to do anything of tb f sort, as T believe we me'quite capabl - of turning out work equal to auv pri i vile firm at as low a eost; but if no! 1 we may have to revert to the eontrac •* system and keep the sliops merely fo i- repairs."

The pressman took the opportunity to ascertain how far the dismissals recently recorded were likely to proceed, anil the Minister plainly indicated where ■Hiis policy will end. "Our big building programme is pretty well over," lie said. "A large amount of building had to be done to made, provision for the through I raffic between Auckland and Wellingi ton, and to enable this to be overtaken I a largo number of men were taken on (•usually. They numbered 120, distributed ainnng the different workshops, and the work having been completed it is impossible for us to keep them on, as the ordinary or permanent staff is quite able to carry out the whole of the ordinary work, such as repairs and the normal building programme required to meet the growth of traffic from year I o year following the opening up of new sections." "Are more dismissals likely?" "Xo more,' declared the Minister without hesitation. Some of those who have received nolir-e leave this month, and enolher batch go in February. We are thus eating down gradually, so that the -full" will reach normal proportions at the end of next month." So far the Miirster had been dealing with workshop employees. Tie was then J nsked how li-nDli' hands were likely to i fare.

"The traffic staff i= bound to increase from time to time,'' replied Mr. Millar, "as we take over new sections of railways. For instance, slalionninsleis and surfacemen are required to look after the new portions of the North Maud Main Trunk line. That is inevitable, and T do not look upon the -present traffic staff as overstocked. ,; o far us T can ascertain al. present, for nine time extra men hnvo been taken on. and we have been 1 raining t.liein in view of the Main Trunk requirement. Therefore 1 do not anticipate any reduction in that stalT."