LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S DEMANDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 154, 25 March 1919, Page 8

LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S DEMANDS

WELLINGTON BRANCH OF E.F.C. ASSOCIATION

DISPLAYS A MILITANT SPIRIT

A Press Association message published yesterday stated , that it was understood that the locomotive men of Auckland had decided to strike if their association's demands for better wages and conditions were not granted.

A Dominion representative yesterday made inquiries about what tho Wellington men proposed to do in the event referred to a'bove. Mr. J. Meachen, chairman of tho Wellington branch of the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers, Firemen, aud Gleaners' Association, said that there was no question about the militant attitude, not only of the Wellington men, but of the men right up tho ■Main Trunk Line and at Palmerston North. The Auckland men had by their resolution merely brought themselves into line with Wellington, because the local men-had for some time had their minds quite made up that they would strike if the Minister refused to grant what they were asking for. The Minister had promised to give a reply in the third week in March, but no reply had so far been given. The association was just waiting to hear, what the' Minister's answer to its demands was.

"The Wellington men," eaid Mr. Meachen, "are ready to go out at a moment's notice. In order, however, to minimise the inconvenience to the general public, they will, before they_ go out; give' some notice of their intention. I believe there is a. rumour current that the Wellington men have already made up their minds to cease work on Thursday, but that rumour is not, .correct." THE AUCKLAND BALLOT RESULT NOT PUBLISHED YET. Br Telegraph—press Association. Auckland, March 24. Tho statement previously telegraphed that the locomotive men in Auckland had decided in favour of a strike is not correct. The men resolved to request the Grand Council to complete the ballot as quickly as possible, and meet immediately in AVellington to await the result of the ballot, ami take action as indicated by the voting. The Auckland branch has ibeen informed that the association will wait for a fortnight ior a reply from the Minister. If no satisfactory reply is received to their demands tho result of the ballot will bo published, and men will act.according to instructions from the Grand Council. "TIRED OF WAITING." By Telceraph—Press Aaiooiation. Auckland, March 24. The dissatisfaction of the Auckland locomotive railwaymen is general, and officials of tha Auckland branch have all the eamo tale to tell. It sums up to this:—They had agreed with the Department at the beginning of. the war to forego any wages increases until its close, and in return had been promised that when peace came again they would be given fair, treatment. The locomotive men had no wish to interrupt the New Zealand railway service nor to create any labour upheaval, but they were euro of tho reality of their grievarces. They considered they had not been dealt with fairly, and they were prepared to take drastic steps if their feelings were not considered without delay. "Wo all realise fully what a locomotive strike will mean. It will put the country to very Cleat inconvenience, and will practically disorganise it," say the officials, but with this they remind the people that they had been promised reforms since the 1913 etriko. At that time they remained at their posts when almost tho whole of Labour was in chaos. They piloted tho trains through the laud when shipping was disorganised, and they had remained at their posts through all that 1913 upheaval, when all Labour was ngainst them. Since then they had tried everything but striking They had even asked for an award from the Court of Arbitration, but had had no satisfaction. Many of the men can come forward and showthat they havo worked for fifty, sixty, and seventy hours, or even more than that during one week. Tho feeling among Auckland mon seems to be in favour of a peaceful settlement, but they are "tired of waiting," to use a member's words, "for promises that never ■come." They want a fair scale of salaries, and they want them within a fortnight.