RAILWAY RETRENCHMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 72, 21 April 1909, Page 2

RAILWAY RETRENCHMENT

AX EXPLANATION. B? Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, April 20. ' The Hon. Millar, in un interview, made ' it clear that the policy adopted in coniieclion with the dismissal of men at Addiugton mid elsewhere is not a part '. of the Covcrnmcni.'s general retrenennienl scheme, He endorsed a statement 1 nmde by Mr. Konayne, general manager, on the "subject.

The statement by Mr. Konayne referred to was published in yesterday's New Zealand Times, ,» ivpiescntative of that paper having attempted to secure from Mr. Konayne (General Manager of New Zealand Knilwaj'.s) a statement as to how far the dismissals from railway workshops were likely to proceed, "It is all a matter of policy," stated .tjue< General Manager. "These dismissals have taken place not only at Addington, but at the Newmarket, Hillside, and Petone shops, where men known as • term casuals' . have completed their work, and nothing remains for them to do. There is a shortage of orders,' added Mr. Konayne. "We have completed i 5» twelve-ton f, waggons Jt Addington for the Huruuui-lllun" section, and there is not another order lor 250 to keep the men employed." Can you say if.there arc to be further dismissals, Mr. Konayne; •' It largely depends upon the development of the North Island Mam ifunk line," replied the General Manager. "The slump in the timber traffic caused an unlooked-for drop in the revenue, and we cannot go on building if the revenue is dropping." Are dismissals likely to take.phicc in other sections of the service* "It all depends upon the number of trains run," answered Mr. Konayne. •• You cannot reduce your traffic employees unless you cut* out trains. We have no surplus men. If it is decided to reduce train mileage there could be a big reduction iu enginenien, fjremen, yardmen, etc., but if the, business has to be done you must have the men." Mr. Konayne mentioned that the last batch of men dismissed from Addington included 8 laborers, 3 iron moulders, 8 hoilermakers, 7 " holders-up," 8 turners and 2 fitters.