RAILWAY STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 January 1924, Page 2

RAILWAY STRIKE.

[Reuters Telegrams.]

THE SETTLEMENT TERMS. LONDON, Jan. 29. In the terms for the railway strike settlement, the railway companies declare that they never contended the decision of the Wages Board,wg? obligatory, but they were justified in giving effect thereto. Tlie companies are, prepared to alleviate the hardships--/ which it had been represented would he involved in tho decision so the drivers and firemen on a mileage basis so that 130 miles would equal one day’s pay. but the mileage would be increased to 140 in July and 150 *n January 1925, unless, in the interval, it was agreed otherwise. The companies tin- v dertake that- there will be no dismissals arising out ol the application of the decision. All strikers presenting themselves for work within a reasonable time will be reinstated as soon as is practicable without preference to seniority.' The signatories agree to use every endeavour to secure that all railwaymen will work together aiiock ably and any proved breach of this condition will lie a ease lor disciplinary action by the companies.

RAIIAVAYSI EX’S GAIN. LONDON, January 30.

Mr Bromley, in a statement, says the "ages .saved to the drivers and firemen under the new mileage clause, will exceed the cost of the strike to the

The companies affirm that the locomen could have obtained as much before the strike. _

DOCKERS' DEMAND. LONDON, Jan. 29. There is a very large number of workers involved in the dockers’ dispute. The unions 'involved in the trouble are:— The Transport Workers’ Union, three hundred thousand men. The National Union of general workers of 403.000 men. The National Amalgamated Union of V Labourers of 403.000 men. The United Order of General Labourers totalling 150,000 men. The Amalgamated Society ol Engiuemon. totalling 40,000. The latter were established in 1923. The claims include those of the Keymen. who are asking for an increase of half a crown, compared with the older unions’ claim for two shillings, which would raise Ibe wages to 12s dail>. The latter union was not represented at the present conferences and is not bound by 51 r Bevin’s judgment. Other T minus include the transporters. such as the omnibus men. so that- all will necessarily be involved. LONDON, Jan. 2D. The Liberal journal, the “Daily Chronicle,” comments on the dockers’ trouble, and the evils of casual labour.

The “Daily Chronicle” says there is threatened a strike at the ports. It has few features in common with 51r Bromlcy’s “wanton escapade.” Tlie employers say they cannot afford another 2s. but one way out is. the decasualisation of labour. 'Hie trouble is that most of the dockers cannot count on getting a sufficient number of hours weekly. The evils of casual labour at tlie docks have been exposed again and again, but except iu Liverpool. there lias been no attempt to end them. If the leaders of the shipping and the trading world put their heads together, they could abolish it. Until they do, devastating and busi-ness-blighting strikes will continue.