RAILWAYMEN’S BALLOT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1920, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN’S BALLOT.

(I’er Press Association.) WELLINGTON, March 23.

It is now stated officially that the members of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants are balloting on the question of the strike. After the recent meeting of the Excutive, the officers of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants said that a decision had been reached, but that no move would be made until .they liad interviewed the Minister of Railways (Mr Massey) and ascertained what was the attitude of the Government regarding the Railway Commission’s report, but Mr Massey’s stay in hospital is proving more lengthy than was anticipated, and the ballot is proceeding. The members of A.S.R.S. are being asked to vote on the following issues (1.) Acceptance of the rates of pay proposed by the Railway Commission.. (2.) A Strike in support of the full demands of the Association. The branches are to make their returns to the Executive not later than April 17th. If the decision is in favour of a strike the fixing of a date will he in the hands of the Executive. In the meantime the Executive will interview Mr Massey and will ask for a definite statement of the Government’s intentions.

Mr M. J. Mack (Secretary of the ■ A.S.R.S.), stated to-day that the Exexecutive realised Massey could not discuss matters with them during his stay in hospital. They understood also that recommendations of the’ Railway Commission were not necessarily decisions of the Government, but the railwaymen were not prepared to let the grass gro>v under their feet. Long negotiation and much delay had taken place already, and the members of the service considered that the time had come for a settlement of their claims. Tho Executive would interview Mr Masse as early as possible GREY RAILWAYMEN. Recently a ballot was taken by the members of the Grey Branch of the A.S.R.S. to decide tho question of whether the Branch would continue to remain affiliated with the L.R..C. or not. The result has just been announced as follows: For Affiliation 107 Against 61 Majority for 46 This means that tho Grey Branch will remain affiliated to tho L.R.C. as heretofore.