THE LOCOMOTIVE MEN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 96, 17 January 1919, Page 6

THE LOCOMOTIVE MEN

RECEPTION OF THE MINISTER'S LETTER. . The general secretary of the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association (Mr. W. M'Arley) writes stating that he is now in receipt of a letter from the Minister, intimating that he hopes.to be.in a position to meet the executive , council, and discuss matters so far as the association is concerned about February 12, immediately after the business of the conference which is being held by the association of delegates from all branches has been disposed of. The Minister's letter, according to Mr. M'Arley, conveys the intimation that after proposals have been fully discussed and considered, he proposes . to draft an amended schedule to the Government Railways Act, which if approved by Cabinet and by Parliament may be made to oper-' ate as from April 1 of this year. The letter also conveys the information that the Minister repeatedly intimated in the House and at meetings that he would meet the association delegates early in February. The Minister also conveys tho information that there is a large amount of consideration neces-, sary before anything can be done. Mr. M'Arley says ho is hopeful that some indication will be given by the Minister ._ as to what direction his proposals will take towards removing the men s grievances, especially with regard to hours of work, etc., before the delegates take any action with regard to the taking of a secret ballot wliich is demanded by the various branches. It is hoped that the above information will do much towards relieving the feelings of the most militant members wine to the recent attitude taken up by the members, Mr. M'Arley adds it mil 'now be quite impossible for the executive council to accept or refuse any proposal made by tho Minister, and such proposal will require to be ratified by the members before accepting .or rejecting. , The general secretary concludes that the council, while studiously avoiding anything wliich will dislocate the industries of New Zealand, will urge upon' the Government tiio necessity of improving the' lot of the locomotive men in New Zealand

A NAPIER RESOLUTION. (By TeleETapli.-Preßs'Association. Napier, January 16.' A meeting of the Napier Branch of tho Amalgamated. Society of Railway Servants last night passed the following resolution■:—"That this branch of the A.S.R.&. strongly supports the Engineers, Firemen's, and Cleaners' •Association in their demands for fair treatment at the hands of the National Government, and expresses its appreciation of the firm attitude adopted bv Iho Grand Council of the E.F.0.A.", as stated in their communique published m tho Press. We also ask all branches of the-A.S.R.S. to support the sister society."