THE ENGINE MEN'S GRIEVANCES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 97, 18 January 1919, Page 8

THE ENGINE MEN'S GRIEVANCES

THE MINISTER'S OFFER

MEET SOCIETIES fta MONTH

The following is the full text of the letter sent by the Hon. V. 11. Hemes, Minister of Railways, to Mr. W. M'Arley, general secretary'of the New Zealand Lofomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen, and-.Clen.norß , Association:— . "With reference to tlie correspondence that has passed between your society and myself and tho representations made on behalf of increased pay and improved conditions for members of the locomotive running branch. I have tho honour to remind you, that, as repeatedly intimated in the House and personally intimated to yourself and Mr. Henderson in several interviews, especially one on December 3, when.you and Mr. Henderson formed a. deputation in company with members of Parliament, 1 will be prepared l early next month to meet tho executives of the three railway socioties with a view to coming to an understanding as to my alterations in the schedules that may he thought necessary, and also to discuss proposals respecting conditions of employment that may be brought for-, ward. The other socioties affected have suggested improvements in the (pay anS conditions of members that differ radically from those advanced by your association, and the effect of the whole of the representations must he considered together before a , decision, which will affect all memhers of'the service, can bo arrived at. The requests that have been put forward involve a considerable increase in the expenditure of the Department, and this aspect will also 'require careful consideration before any decision is finally arrived at.

"After proposals have been fully discussed and considered. I propose to draft an emended schedule to the Government Railways Act, which, if approved by Cabinot and by Parliament, mar bo mado to operate as from April 1 of this: year.

"I hope to be in a position to meet your executive and discuss matters so far as yonr association U concerned about February 12, immediately after the business of your conference has beeiii disposed of"

THEN AND NOW. SECRETARY'S rvr.VNGET) ATTI- • Tnnß. The secretary of .the engine men's association has recently talked a great deal about the possibility of a strike in the event of a refusal on the part of the Minister to concede tlie demands liis union are making. Mr. M'Arlcy, it has been pointed out, had something quite different to say when ini 1909, ho was appealing oiv behalf of his organisation to Parliament _ asking for recognition of liis now union . after it had broken away from the big A.S.R.A. In his evidence ho spoke of the dangers of big organisations in. the case of industrial trouble, and'mentioned a case in the point of "which was that the labour bosses had first_ counselled the formation of ■ ono big organisation of all employees, and. then forced- a' strike. Then .lib "went? oil to say: "■With regard to strikes the amalgamated society hero.has practically the same object in view as the Labour loaders in America had when, they wanted to gob all tlia worlws into one big; union, so that they could go out on strike. The same tiling was tried m Now South Wales, and the result was the big strike in Sydney, which proved that amalgamation and strikes wore useless among railwnymen. I may say that strikes are altogether out of the ouestifin, and 011 behalf'of the Engine-, drivers, Firemen', and Cleaners' Union, I may say that 110 sur-h thing lias ever entered our heads. T. as secretary of that organisation, will ncvor make use of a strike as a weapon against the Government. Wo only prowv; to bring our grievances'under the notice of the General Manager and the Minuter of Rjiilfaws. and discuss the conditions under which wo work, and endeavour to gain improved, working conditions in that way." Mr. M'Arley then apoke of another impropriety of'which he accused the A.S.R.S. He declared that one of the objects of the big society was to control votes, and so to bring pressure to'bear 011 members of Parliament. ; All this \vns Raid nine vow aco. when the engine men wero asking for recognition for their society. .