RAILWAY STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1924, Page 2

RAILWAY STRIKE.

STARTED AT MIDNIGHT. NO TRAINS TO-DAY. The railways are at a standstill today in consequence of the A.S.ILS. going out on' strike. At the lailwuj sation this morning, there was a large crowd gathered for the express to Christchurch. The Ross rain came in from Ross on time, in consequence of the guards not having received thenstrike notice. This train returned, to

the home station a short time utterwards, and was the only movement locally. The engine drivers were .n their places, but in the absence ot any guards, the train outward did not leave. Volunteer oilers to man the train were declined by the authorities. There was, in consequence, no train to or from Greymouth, and the overland did not run. Newmans Motors were at once utilised by some of the passengers desiring to reach Christchurch, three large buses leaving at nine o’clock, while several cars for Greymouth were soon filled. Among those held up were the party of Christchurch young women, who have been camping out at the racecourse, and who purposed returning to Christchurch today. There are three classes in tile railway service. The iirst is composed of the clerical staff ; the second the engine drivers, lirenien and cleaners, and the third class the A.S.R.S., now on strike, comprises the remainder of the staff guards, porters, foremen, surfacemen, carpenters, etc. CABINET DECLINE DEMANDS. [by TKI.KGIIAI’II —I’ER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, April 21. 'Hie Cabinet have' declined the railwaymen’s demands, with the alternative of a strike at midnight, the Cabinet stating that the action of the A.S. R.S. Executive in taking the matter into their own hands left the Cabinet no option but to decline. The Minister of Railways lias the personal assurance of Mr M. Connolly, the President of the A.S.ILS. Hint the men, before ceasing work, would run to their home stations nil the trains that are leaving bolero‘midnight to-night. FINAL NEGOTIATIONS. WELLINGTON, April 21.

To-day the Government proposals were discussed by the Executive Council of the A.S.R.S. and at noon the President ’(Mr M. Connelly) liad a brief interview with the Minister for Railways (the Hon. J. G. Coates). He communicated the result of that interview to his Executive. Later, following up a similar eimnniiiieation from Mr Connelly, by te'ephone, Mr J. M. Mack (General Secretary to the A.S.R. S ), wrote to the Minister: ‘‘l am instructed by niy Executive to advise yoii that, failing some increase in wages being offered by the Government, they will instruct the whole of the railwaymen in the Second Division to cease work at midnight tonight 21st. inst.” Cabinet met at 3 o’clock in the afternoon to consider this communication. After a lengthy conference with his colleagues, the Minister l'oi Railways re plied to Mr Mack as under: “I have to state that Cabinet has considered your communications, and I am directed to inform you that, as the Society has failed to take advantage of all tile opportunities offered it by the Government, of stabilising its claims before a tribunal that would have the confidence of the public, and have preferred to take the matter into its own hands, by declaring a strike, the action of the A.S.R.S. leaves the Government no option hut to decline to comply with the demands made liy tnc Executive of the A.S.R.S. 1 Mr Connelly, President of the A.S. R.S.. stated in the course of an interview, that he had now no further comment to make. Every possible avenue had been tried to obtain a settlement of the difficulty without resorting to a strike, and much as they regretted it, it was now found that it was impossible to do this without resorting to the mandate given by tbc members, and unless something tin for. seen occurred, this would operate from 12 o’clock that night.

START OF STRIKE

CHRISTCHURCH, April 12

Prior to about 8 o’clock this evening there was a true holiday spirit abroad, and fleeting scraps of conversation in tbe streets and other public places referred in the main to such light and airy subjects as “How Lime, light won the Great, Autumn.” Shortly after 8 o’clock, however, the news spread with remarkable rapidity that a strike was on. 11l various places of nmuteement the announcement was made, much to the discomfiture of those of the audience who were visitors. A number, of these immediately returned to their hotels, and tbe telephone wires to the station became vnduly busy. Some bad bones of getting away by late trains to-niglit, but this was spedily found to fie impossible in the cases of any places far removed from town.

The only visitors who were unconcerned. wore those with their own motor transport, or others who were in a. position to be able to obtain transport by road to their various homes. Business men with important engagements found themselves in an unfortunate position and were in some places very loud in complaint. STRIKE. IN AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND. April 21. The strike will deprive -1000 suburban workers of means of conveyance to and from the city. If possible, a skeleton service will be run for them. It is officially stated the revenue loss in the Auckland district will he £IO,OOO daily. The strikers number 800, another 1200 railway-men being effected. FERRY BOAT RUSHED. CHRISTCHURCH, April 21. There was a rush for tbo ferry steamer at Lyttelton to-night. The boat train was a long and heavy one, while many passengers travelled to Lyttelton bv ordinary trains, and tbe express. Many of the passengers bad in. tended staying in Christchurch longer, but the prospect of tbe strike caused them to change their plans and hasten home. The Maori was full to capacity on leaving for Wellington to-night. DUNEDIN NEWS. DUNEDIN, April 19. All the local ballot papers were forwarded yesterday. Mr Holland arrives to-night to attend the annual conference of the Labour Party.

— Started at Midnight. No Trains To-day-

Despite the strike rumours, railway traffic from Dunedin yesterday was heavier than on Good Friday last year. NEW WAGES BOARD. WELLINGTON, April 20. A very pessimistic view was taken of a railwav strike, when it became known that over 80 per cent, of the ballot papers so far received were in favour of a strike for an increase in wages. At mid-day there was every indication that this would he the end of the crisis, as members of the A.S.R.S. executive had intimated thenview that the ballot should be acted

upon. A little later Mr M. Connelly and -ur M.. J. Mack, representing the A.S.R.S., met the Minister of Railways. This resulted in a meeting of .Cabinet being speedily called. Cabinet met at 2.40 p.m. and sat all the afternoon, resuming again in the evening. The proposals of the A.S.R.S. were placed before Cabinet, which later suhini t ted further proposals to Hie A.S.R.S., which were discussed by their representatives before the conference concluded. At 9,15 p.m. Mr Connil v and Mr Mack then left- Parliament Buildings, stating to a Pressman as they did so that nothing had been done. There was nothing to say but that negotiations were not-closed. A few minutes later the Minister of Railways (the Hon J. G. Coates)) appeared and made the following state-

ment : , Certain proposals were made through the Minister of Railways. They were considered by Cabinet. Cabinet then made further proposals which were discussed by the representatives of the A.S.R.S.. and will be considered by their executive. The president of the A.S.R.S. and the Minister of Railways will meet again on Monday morning. Mr Mack, secretary of the A.S.R.S., stated to a reporter that a new Wages Board liad been asked for, and Cabinet had agreed to this proposal. It had been suggested that it should consist of a representative from each side, and the Government suggested that the chairman should be selected from the Judges of the Supreme Court, A-io latter point liak hot yet, however, been agreed upon.

MR MASSEY’S STATEMENT. WELLINGTON, April 20 Interviewed to-day, the Prime Minister stated that a deputation from the A.S.R.S. had waited upon tho Minister of Railways and himself, and had asked for another Wages Board. A special meeting of Cabinet was held, and after a lengthy conference, Cabinet agreed on the main point: That it was willing'to give the failwayilieh another Wages Board. “But,”, added Mr Massey, “there arc two points not- settled yet. It is not yet decided who is to ho chairman, and it is not yet certain whether the executive of tho A.S.R.S. will agree with what has been done. 111? B6ard is to go into the wages question and the other claims of tho railwavmen.”

GREY LOCOMOTIVE MEN. The following resolution was passed at a. meeting of the Greymouth Branch of the E.F.C.A. held on April 20th:— “That tile locomotive men of the Westland section of railways will not run trains with anybody whether members at the A.S.R.S., or R.0.L., who may desire to act as guards during a strike, until sneli time as the Executive controlling the strike shall declare such strike off.”

Statement by premier. WELLINGTON, April 22

“ I do not think anyone regrets more than I do that the railway-men’s loaders have detrmined to force a strike upon the public at the present juncture,” stated Air Massey early tonight, “right in the middle of the Easter holidays, and in front of . Fleet Week when tens of thousands of New Zealanders are anxious to visit different centres for the purpose of welcoming the sailors of. the Empire’s Navy, and seeing warships on which our safety may- one day- depend. From the railway-men’s own viewpoint, their tactics are the most ill-advised that I have ever heard from a citizen’s viewpoint. I believe the tactics now employed will he looked upon generally with grave disfavour. However they have decided to test the question whether this country is to ho governed by certain socialistic organisations. which have, boon specially prominent for some time past. Whatever happens, those who have set the heather on lire must take the responsibility for their actions.”

Mr. Massey replied at some length to the manifesto issued by four Christchurch Labour members saying it was very little use to quibble over the increased cost of living, because, undoubtedly, Hie members of the Public Service were much better paid and generally very much hotter off than prior to 1014, when the present Government took office.

Speaking of the Labour Members’ reference to Messrs Witty, I.sitfc and Bell, voting with the Government, Mr. Massey said it seemed, a pretty mean thing to do. because those gentlemen had not interfered in the present, dis pute. The Premier refuted the suggestion that the Government were forcing an election on this railway issue and de-. clarcd: The issue is being forced by those who are responsible for the present difficulty, especially by those members to whose letter I am top v.'ng. Personally, or politically*. 1 have no fear of an election, but I Inve t > think of the country’s interest before anything in Hie way of party or personal advantage.” LABOUR’S ADVICE DUNEDIN. April 21. Mr. 11. K. Holland, who is in Dunedin for the Labour Conference, has sent the following telegram to the Premier, signed by each of the 17 Labour M.P.’s.—We desire to make the strongest possible representations in favour of Parliament being called together immediately to deal with the critical situation which lias arisen in the railway service. The proposal to extend the hours of labour in the service is of Dominion wide import, inasmuch as it must eventually adversely affect not only the railway workers, but also a large number of other industries working the 44hours week. Further, the fact that many railway men cannot maintain their wives and children on their present salaries is an evil which Parliament should have the —. opportunity of redressing.” BLENHEIM NEWS* BLENHEIM. April 22. The railway- strike materialised this morning with the non-arrival of the usual morning trains from Picton and Ward. Sixty-three men are out on the Picton-Wharanui section. Ninety per cent of the local.men voted for the strike.