LOTH TO LEAVE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3094, 18 January 1909, Page 4

LOTH TO LEAVE.

It seems that in the natural course of events there have been a good many dismissals from the railway workshops in various parts of the Dominion during the past couple of months. Railway officials state that the big building programme which was in full swing last year is now out of hand—hence the dismissals. It seems, however, that the dismissals have caused some dissatisfaction, and according to one departmental head the men like their work so ranch that they are loth to leave, and make all the fuss possible when there is nothing more for them to do. This is a very, pretty explanation, but we are afraid that it is more official than correct. On the face of it an acknowledged slacken- J ing of work in the railway workshops Joes not: strike one as being a healthy sign of prosperity. The country requires railroads in all directions, and it is understood that various lines are being pushed on with all the speed possible—why then is it that the big building programme is out of hand? Moreover, if the country is really so prosperous as we are told, and it has been stated by one Minister that so far from there being no depression, that there is not even a scarcity of money, it is passing strange that the men should be so loth to go, and make all the fuss possible when there is nothing for them to do. As a matter of fact employment in all trades' is scarce, and it is reasonable to opine that the Government, like private employers,, are beginning to feel "the pinch," and are inclined to mark time for a while. The dismissed men are loth to leave because, unfortunately, the prospects of their quickly obtaining employment elsewhere are not what they were. '