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Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 187, 4 May 1920, Page 8

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RAILWAY SERVICES RESUME

THE DISPUTES COMMITTEES

The resumption of railway services has been as rapid and complete as the cessation of services was last week. The executives of the railwaymcn's organisations co-operated heartily with the Railway Department in restoring the running of trains on all the North Island lines, and there does not appear to have been a hitch at nny point. The men went back to work with a will, and the suburban services into and out of Wellington were normal yesterday. The outward mail trains ■ carried full loads. A train from Auckland conveying the Governor-General and his staff arrived on time,'and an ordinary express train from Auckland also arrived early in tho afternoon. Goods traffic has accumulated during the period of the strike, and some heavy trains were run yesterday with goods that have been awaiting transport. A, few days, will be required to get back to normal conditions in this respect. The executive of the New Zealand Locomotive . Engineers. Firemen, ■ and Cleaners' Association issued the following statement yesterday:— "A settlement-having been agreed to, the Executive Council trusts that the people of New Zealand and the Press will recognised that we have endeavoured to nut up a clean, sportsmanlike fight. Even in tho negotiations the Prime Minister .will readilv admit that conciliation permeated the proceedings before him. At no time did the asisociation use the 'big stick.' This fight has heen the first railway strike in New Zealand of men who are almost to a man New Zealand born. "We considered, and still consider, that our cause.was a just one, and w» entered into this fight in the same way as half our members entered voluntarily into the greatest of European wars—to win a fair 'dinkum' fight. We thank the people for the sportsmanlike manner in which they received the inconvenience imposed upon them, and most heartily because they were in no way instrumental in bringing about a strike; also for their kindly sympathy. We recognise fully the great principle actuated those .who refused to run trains which were not manned by'members of our union; and also those who refused to ride in them. We have every hope that in the future a good feeling will exist, 'and that tho railways will be run by the Government and Jtfie men in the best interests of tho whole of the people of New Zealand." The next business in connection with the complete settlement of the strikefor it will not be completely settled-un-til the committees have met, discijssed the claims of the three societies of the Railway Service,-and made recommendations acceptable to them all and_tb the Government-is the setting up of these committees. The first move in this will probably be made by the Government, through the Prime Minister, and his most difficult task will be in the choice of suitable men to act as chairmen. When he has selected one or more he will submit the names to tho societies, for their approval or otherwise. It is not anticipated that there will be any hitch on this question, but it may not bo easy for, the Minister to find the man he seeks, and, having found him, to persuade him to undertake the work. Mr. W. M'ATloy, general secretary of the E.F.C.A., h still confined to bed. The ■ nervous breakdown which he suffered on Saturday was a severe one, and although he is making a good recovery he will not be fit for active work again for some days. :

' THANKS OF THE SOUTHERN LOCO. MEN. _ By Teleeranh—Press Association. Greymouth, May 3. At a meeting of the Grey branch of the locomotive men's society, the followin" resolution was -passed: "The E.F.C.A. extend a greeting to -their North Island fellows and wish to place on record the members' whole-hearted appreciation of the action of their comrades in the north in responding to the call of the Executive Council. While keen disappointment is felt at rot being called on to .assist in the fight, we feel we owe to the. North Island members of tho railway service a deep debt of gratitude." . MAKING UP LEEWAY. By Telegraph—Prens Association Auckland, May 3. Full services are again being run on the Auckland section of the railways, and Departmental officers are concerning themselves with making up the deficiency caused by the half-week spent without railway service. Many hundreds of people.who have been prevented from travelling have now to be catered for, and it is anticipated that passenger traffic during the current week will be very heavy. .This also applies to goods services, and has special reference to coal. An immediate start is being made with' the transportation of the Maoris assembled at Rotorua, and these will all 1m on the way to their homes within threo days.