RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2405, 21 January 1909, Page 5

RAILWAY WORKSHOPS.

THE GOVERNMENT STROKE.

INTENDED OFFICIAL INQUIRY

(Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 20

Allegations in regard to the Addington railway workshops are to be the subject of an immediate official inquiry. A “New Zealand Times” reporter learned from the Minister for Railways to-night thaj; the railway workshops throughout the country will come under close scrutiny, though the adverse report upon workshops methods does not extend to them. ‘I am causing full inquiry to be made into the whole of the statements,” explained Air. Millar, “and will deal with the position according to the result. The* visitor who went through the place is a man who knows exactly whet he is talking about.” “Will you call him as a witness? queried the reporter. “I am not prepared to say that, was the Minister’s reply, “but without him we can decide whether the work at Addington has cost more than at other workshops, Departmental or private. All I want is a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay from every man in the service, but if we find that in the shop,. where there is every facility for turning outwork most cheaply, that . it- is not being done, then full inquire has to lie made as to the cause. The fault must be somewhere.” “Are other railway workshops atfected bv the allegations?” To this query the -Minister gave a negative answer. “As far as 1 know,” he added, “the work mother shops is being turned out nitisfactori!v, but I am waiting detailed information regarding the cost of production. I fail to see why the workshops which are supposed to have as skilled men as are to be obtained, should not do the work as cheaply as any private firm, seeing their . plant, is available for turning out jobs economically.” . “If the workshops are not doing the work economically?” “Then,” answered Air. Alillar, the question will have to be considered, whether it would not be in the interests of tlie country to call for tenders from private firms for that class of work. I have no desire to -do anything of the sort, as I believe we are quite capable of turning out work equal to any’private firm at as low a cost, hut if not. we shall have to revert to the contract system, and keep the shops merely for repairing. ’