RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 129, 25 February 1919, Page 7

RAILWAYMEN'S GRIEVANCES

. i ' — <> ' ' -AUCKLAND AND MINISTER'S PROPOSALS. J l?y Telegrabli—Press Association. - Auckland, February 24. The largest meeting- of members of the I Railway Firemen and Cleaners' Association ever held at Auckland, after hearing a report of the delegate to the conference with the 'Minister of Railways, passed a motion agreeing to wait till March to hear the Minister's proposals, when the matter would have to lie finally Bellied in accordance with the demands of the men, who were' utterly tired of the present procrastination, and wished to state emphatically (hat lid proposition would receive any consideration that did riot provide for recompense for night work' and (lie' abolition of the systems of acf.iiic-meii.mid restriction in a (lay's wages.'--The meeting also placed 011 record a protest against the long hours wbrked. men being repeatedly on- duty from M lo 20 hours without a break for. infills. It was stated that: in a secret ballot, of districts «.gßrejratinsr. 359_ wen, .ftvary member voted for direct action if necessary..... . ' .'-The men complaiir.'thal'.' Ih.e niattf.r was first -placed before the Minister in 1912. bnt.'he Had avoided dealing with it in 191!1 011 account, of the sirike. and from 19H onwards owing to IheNvar. .his latest plea lx-infr of the e.-iuntry's finances. In. this l»st .connection the ireu say. that they will not consider the matter, for if file business line .""eu'inilated it is the fault of the. Minister a'nd not of I he-men'. Th»'- they clti'mi, are just, mil rather than f'tlornte the -nresenl: position they would take any drn.slie, rction nec"'-sary. Thpy . neint o'it. however. I hat if a rtrilro =houhl take nice it would be entirely different to an oidi'iarv strikp in that are utterly tired of venewin<r their df-iiiaml", and wonM in the ev?nt of not '•ece'viii.if satisfaction s n el; <-'r—-here under more congenial circumstances.