NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIX, Issue 8134, 8 May 1906, Page 5

NORTH ISLAND TRUNK RAILWAY.

) PALMERSTON N., May 7. Owing to orders having come from headquarters that some of the navvies on the Mataroa-Turangarere section of the North Ipland Main Trunk railway, who have been on day wages, are to revert to the cooperative system, between forty and fifty menhaveloffc the works during the last five weeks. They have been earning only, though wet weather, an average of 4s 2d per .day. Experienced men object to being put in gangs with liovices. The men point out that they have to pay 40 to 50 per ceut. more for necessaries than town workers. The principal storekeepers have also gone on strikp, and refuse stores to navvies without cash The Govern meut will either have to stop the works or provide stores. The men are demanding—(l) day labour, with an increased pay for night wors; (2) the establishment of a Government store or the guaranteeing of a storekeeper to supply goods at a reduced rate upon prices now being Daid by the men; (3) tbe complete separation of the inexperienced worker from the experienced navvyi ■ and the organising of special gaogs for men physically incapable of performing equal work with the stalwart and experienced navvy. It is pointed out that unless these reforms are speedily carried out further construction will experience a serious set-back this winter.