LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S DISPUTE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 158, 29 March 1919, Page 8

LOCOMOTIVE MEN'S DISPUTE

. h> ■ !AN EXPLANATION BY MR. M'ARLEY. The general secretary of the New Zealand Locomotive Engineers. Firemen, ami Cleaners' Association,(Mr. W. M'Arley)' has written that the announcement a]>pcaring in some papers to tho effect that his executive refused to discuss the Minister's proposals with him is incorrect.

Mr. M'Arley says what the association did statu was that they could not see the use of further advancing their arguments to their claims when lliuso arguments had been advanced to the Minister, the management, and Parliament fiince the year 1911, and there was nothing new about their demands. Tho executive stated that they were prepared to meet the Minister in the third- week in March (which was the dale fixed by the Minister), and discuss with him his proposals. If the Minister was willing to amend his proposals tho executive was riuite willing to advance its arguments. Tlio third week in March went liv without anv announcement from (lie Minister. This is taken by the members of tho organisation as indicating a defiant attitude. The manager has now intimated that the Minister will meet th" executive on Monday next. March 3). when ho will place before them the Railway Department's programme for classification as it affects the employees. A full history of the association's negotiations ■with the Minister, management, and Parliament will be placed clearly and .concisely before (lie public of New Zealand at the proper time."