ENGLISH RAILWAYMEN.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14971, 19 May 1914, Page 7

ENGLISH RAILWAYMEN.

BETTER CONDITIONS WANTED

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright./

(Received May 18th, 10.35 p.m.)

LONDON, May 18

Mr J. H. Thomas, M.P., speaking at Eastieigh, announced that tho National Union of Itailwaymen's programmo included an eight-hour day. an increase of os a week in every grade, and absolute recognition of the Union.

In a speech in the House* of Commons on the Ulster crisis a lew weeks ago, Mr Thomas said: — "Wo have at this- moment given notices to the wholo of the railway companies in tho United Kingdom on behalf of 400,000 railwaymen. Those notices expire on November Ist in this year—that is, shortly beforo Christmas. Between now and November wo have to anticipate what may happen. I joy with all tho solemnity oi 1 my nature that anything I can do will bo done to try and bring about an amicable settlement, but I am not unmindful of the other situation. If tho doctrino tho Opposition havo laid down can stand, what is my duty? It is between now and November, Sunday after Sunday, to go to industrial centres and say to the railwaymen this, 'I believe that the railway companies are going to resist your demands; I believe that they are going to refuse to give you an eight hours' day; I believe that they are going to refuse to give you an increase in wages; and I believe in that connexion that they will use all tho forces at their command now in order to be prepared for tho worst. If they resist, organiso your forces. We will uso our halfmillion of capital in our union to provide arms and ammunition for you. Wo have a political ideal, and wo can best accomplish that in the way I havo indicated.' Will hon. members opposite agree with that doctrine-' If not, aro they not conveying tho impression that there is one law for the rich and another for tho poor?" (Ministerial cheers.)