THE RAILWAY CRISIS

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1924, Page 2

THE RAILWAY CRISIS

[by telegram:—rEß tress association.] HOURS THE CRUX. WELLINGTON, April 14. There have been no fresh developments in the railway situation to-day, and the situation is somewhat confused. Tile position is admittedly delicate, but within the next 24 houis, there should bo some tangible indication of what the course of events in the immediate future is going to be. -Meanwhile, the A.S.R.S. strike ballot is proceeding, and to-morrow morning the Alliance of Labour with which the A.S.R.S. is affiliated, will meet to consider wliat action shall be taken in support of the railway men. A hope is entertained that though the first Wages Board broke down, the questions in dispute will yet be amicably settled by reference to another Board. There is some possibility, perhaps a remote one, that the "Executive of the A.S.R.S., will meet the Minister of Railways this afternoon to discuss the situation. The pivotal point in the situation has reference to the hours’ question. Apparently the A.S.R.S. is determined to oppose any extension from 44 to 48 per week, and the Minister and the Department are certain that it is impossible to conduct an efficient service and give concessions to the public on anything less than 48 hours a week. If a breach finally comes, it will be over the hours’ issue. There seems to have been some suggestion made for referring the dispute to another Board, but a point to be made clear here is whether the A.S.R.S. "ill still insist on ttc question of wages being decided before other matters are touched on. Both sides appear to ho playing a waiting game. Each party appears to regard the next move ns being due to come from the other src*e. To-day Mr M. Connelly, President of the A.S.R.S., stated that a deputation from the Executive had waited on the Prime Minister on Saturday, and asked him for an increase in wages. It was pointed out to Mr Massey that a deadlock had arisen. “He discussed the matter with us at some length,” added Mr Connelly, “and said he would refer it to Cabinet. We definitely refused to go back to a 48hours’ week, but we stated that wc were prepared to negotiate without adhering to our demand for 2s (id it day increase. The Society expects the next move to come Loin the Prime Minister in reply to our deputation.” VOTE FOR. STRIKE. DUNEDIN, April 1-1. Mr Pa 1 nett, local secretary of the A.S.R.S., states that after all deductions, the basic wage is £3 15s. Officers of the Union seem certain that the ballot will result in a preponderance for a stiiko. One old member expressed the opinion that the North Island would vote for a strike, whilst the South Island would be about evenly divided.

A prominent Labour official stated that !!)■ ■ attempt of the Department to force a reversion to the 48-hour week commit d with attempts by the Employers’ Federation in the same direction. It might, or might not, he through political channels that the move came, but it was evident the employers wished to increase the working hours, since the Court established a minimum weekly. Ho contended that it must not he forgotten that the moneyed and farming classes had been striking since 191/, in refusing to grow wheat or to utilise tho land to the best advantage, when given particular prices ter products. CAR! N ET‘S CON'S 11) K RATION. WELLINGTON. April 14. Interviewed by a “Times” reporter this aßernoon, lion J. G Coates, Minis/' r for Railways, stated that he will submit to the Cabinet to-morrow tlie 11'ice reports from the Railway Wages Board, namely, the report of tho Chairman, Air H. D. Aeland f that of a Rahway Department’s representative, and that of the A.S.R.S. represent:) Li ">*.

Xotleng now had transpired during the day, stated the Minister, and he had nothing whatever to add in tbe statements he had already made on the subject. Tlu* 1 lime Minister informed the reporter that he had made no offer of a new Wf fi.es Board to the A.S.R.S. representatives. as was stated by some newspapeis. He could not understand how such an idea had got abroad.