THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 April 1924, Page 3

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

[tV TELEGRAPH —PER TRESS ASSOCIATION

AT WELLINGTON

WELLINGTON, April 22.

Locomotive men still say they will not come out, but Connelly openly c> presses the hope that the strikers will still get them. At present it is understood they will run trains if the proper personnel is provided and it can he safely done. There was a great rush for the night train to Auckland, especially when it was definitely known it would go right through. No attempt will he made to-day to run trains on any lines. Arrangements are in the making to forward mails to Napier and New Plymouth by motor and from the latter by steamer to Auckland, It is anticipated that motor lorries will largely relieve the congestion in the country districts.

AT GREYMOUTH.

GREYMOUTH, April 22

Train traffic is suspended and the Station offices closed. The engines are in the yards with steam up. Unloading from ships in port is stopped owing to the inability to get trucks. Timber mills will probably close down, affecting 1200 workers. Many State Mine workers were unable to reach the mine to-day. Motor cars are fully engaged in district trips. A large mini, her of Easter visitors are detained here meanwhile. The Post Office is negotiating for suitable mail services to the outside centres.

DUNEDIN EXPRESS DEPARTS. SKELETON SERVICE RUNNING. CHRISTCHURCH, April *22. The express for Dunedin which usually departs at 8.50 got away at 10 o’clock. A ticket inspector went as guard, and a reserve driver, a. signal inspector and a traffic: inspector travelled in the cal) of the locomotive. The train consisted of eighteen passenger cars and two vans and carried fully six hundred passengers. As it steamed out of the station, there were loud cheers from the passengers and a large crowd on the platform. One signalman at Colombo Street crossing refused to go on strike, and signalled the train out. The only other trains which departed from Christchurch this morning were on tins Lyttelton lino where a skeleton service is being ruir. Trains from Springfield and Ashburton arrived at Christchurch behind schedule time. The officials arc endeavouring to get some trains away D afternoon. The service to Lvttelton was maintained and there was no difficulty with the ferry train. AT NEWPLYMOUTH. MAIL TRAIN LEAVES AT 11.30. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 22 A large number of motor cars left this morning carrying passengers for southern destinations and at 11.30 the mail train left for Wanganui with about hundred passengers. A little work is being .done on the wharf loading trucks which happened lo ho there. AT OAMARC. OAMARC, April 22 At Oaniaru the men arc all out, hut the town is well situated for supplies of coal and other requisites. The engine drivers are standing by anil most of the services are being continued as usual per motor. at marton. MARTON, April 22. The. railway strikers have given an assurance that they will, ill every way, protect public property during the strike. AT DUNEDIN. DUNEDIN', April 22 At Hillside workshops, where 000 men are employed only apprentices and some half dozen men are working. The works are picketed hut tew refused to obey the A.S.R.S. command to go out. A strike committee notice enjoins members not to interfere with non-strikers, and to make the strike a model one. ’There is a great deal of repair work on hand so that the dislocation is serious. Two trains got

away this morning, the passenger train to Christchurch at 10.17 and a suburban train. Mosgiel suburban workers were unable to reach town, consequently there is business dislocation. Many people are stranded with insufficient money to see them through a long wait. A curious sight was the stationmnster and high officials wheeling porters trollies. Many taxis were commissioned by visitors urgently requiring transport north or south. AT NICbSON. NI'JLfrQN, April 22. The railway strike took effect locally this morning. An endeavour is being made to run a modified timo-iahl. to bring three hundred children to schools and) colleges, also to cope with perishable produce and take overland passengers and mails to (llenbope lor the West Coast. AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, April 22.

Kail way strike caused idle railway yards wit'll the exception of apprentices who continue work in the railway workshops. Improved motor lorry services run in the sulntrban areas and alonii the southern line motors connecting with the tramway services to Onehunga. On the northern line motors ran between tram terminus and Mount Albert, so that workers arrived in town at practically the usual time. AT WANGANUI. WELLINGTON’, April 22. About 300 men. aro affected by the strike in Wanganui. Local watcrsiders at largely attended meeting tins morning resolved to express sympathy with the Kail way me n in their fight for 44.1,0ur . week, hotter conditions and wages and also assured them of their practical support. The tie up hero is practically complete. Two coastal vessels in port are unable to work owing to the niiilwsiy wharf sheds being closed. A large number of visitors aro still left in town. Motor services owners hastily organised services to the mni centres which worc-oagerly availed of by visitors anxious to return to tie.

homes. MEETING OF STRIKERS. Wellington, April 22. Volunteers to form strike pickets were called for at a meeting of Pctone workshops employees this morning, am the first ten for this purpose appointed addressed the meeting. Churehhouse, a member of the A.S.R.S. executive, outlined the negotiation, advising the men to maintain order and remain on good terms with members of the E.l‘ • C. A., the rank and file of which were in entire sympathy with the A.S.K.S claims. He felt sure the members ot the E.F.C.A. Vould soon be with them, and if they did not come in by their heads they would he dragged m by their shoulders. Thd strike appeared to bo popular with a majority of those present, but some of the older men, no doubt having superannuation in mind, expressed the conviction that the strike was no good to them. The proceedings wore quite orderly