RAILWAY STRIKE RUMOUR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1258, 13 October 1911, Page 4

RAILWAY STRIKE RUMOUR.

WHERE DID IT ORIGINATE P (Bt TelcirraDh.—Prnss Association,! Christchurch, October 12. A local railwayman, who is connected with tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and claims to bo in the entire confidence of tho local executive, when asked if ho would hazard an opinion as to the origin of tho rumour regarding a probable strike of railwaymen, said that one statement had filled him with suspicion. That statement was that nil hands, with tho exception of engine drivers and firemen, would go out. Tho enpino-drivers and firemen had what wat called a "Loco. Society," which was straining every nerve in their interests, and was not particularly friendly with tho A.S.R.S. Tho publication of a strike rumour and tho emphasis placed ou the loyalty of tho engine-drivers and firemen suggested to him that the paragraph had been inspired by a friend of tho Loco. Society, if not by tho society itself. (By Tclceranh—Press Association,! Christchurch, October 12. Mr. S. Kennedy, president of tho New Zealand Engino Drivers' and Firemen and Cleaners' Society, in an interview regarding tho statement by a local railway man to tho'effect that the rumour of an impending strike on the New Zealand railways was to 1)0 traced probably to the "Loco. Society," stated that tho rumour in no way emanated from tho society of which ho is president, nor did it emanate from' tho headquarters of the association in Christchurch, or from the branch of tho association in Duuediu. His association would have no object in circulating such a report. Asked if ho knew anything about tho origin of the rumour, Mr. Kennedy said that ho Aid not think thero was the slightest possibility of any section of railwaymen going on strike. Tho Superannuation Act would bar them from entertaining such a proposal seriously, as thoy would lose a.U benefits under tho Act if they went on strike, aiud would therefore bo very great losers. no did not know where the rumour came from, and ho was quite sure that no railway man for one moment seriously contemplated striking.