LOYALTY'S REWARD.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1861, 22 September 1913, Page 7

LOYALTY'S REWARD.

LABOUR M.P. TO RAILWAY MEN.

"My experience Is that the railway tnen stand as high in the estimation of Parliament aa any sot of men in tho country, and the reasons are that tho railway men have been loyal to themselves by sticking together as unionists, and loyal to Now Zealand by recognising tneir responsibilities," said Mr, W, '<A.. Veitch, M.P., on Saturday night, at the' annual smoke' concert' or the Railway Engine Drivers', Firemon'a, and .'Cleaners Association.. . '

* "And while you keep on in that way you will continue to climb higher and pigher in the estimation of the people," .continued Mr. Veitch. Labour generally had been through some bitter experiences.in the last few years. He referred to the big upheaval of 1890, when jt was thought that a big strike would light all the men's grievances. Unfortunately, the railwaymen became . in- . yolved in the trouble. We had not got over that strike yet} but the railwaymen had benefited by the lesson. Unless they commanded respeot they could fiot advance. (Hear, hoar.) The three railway unions, had done n, great deal to forward their own interests. Where ore the men who have gone to extremes Where are the men of Waihi, and their wives and ohildren? I don't plamo. them altogether, for I suppose they were badly led. However, the railway men have advanced far ahead pf them. It has cost New Zealand a great deal less to give the railwaymen their inoreases in wages than a week's strikes on the railways would cost Yon must always remember that so long Bs you remain loyal to New Zealand, .jfou will climb up the ladder, although progress may be a little slow and grievances may not be removed at once. If you don't remain loyal to the country you will go down the ladder. The prosent Governmeht has, I think, done vita best to meet the wishes of the railwaymen, but no one knows the time 'when an unscrupulous Minister may •come into power, bo you mußt be fctroilg," ■