asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether several employees of the Great Southern Railway of long service have been commanded by the company to hand in their resignations; whether any provision is being made for the men's future by way of compensation or pension.

I have no knowledge of communications between the Great Southern Railway and its employees, but the rights of employees whose employment is terminated are specified in detail in the Third Schedule to the Railways Act, 1924, which also provides the method of settling any question or dispute that arises. The principle of the schedule is that these matters are to be settled by agreement between the company and its employees, or failing agreement to be decided by arbitration.