A S.R.S. DISPUTE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1924, Page 3

A S.R.S. DISPUTE.

THE GOVERNMENT OFFER. INTERESTING LETT ERS. nv *riCL.i-:«n a i*ii — fitKss assn., toevnioirr. CHRISTCHURCH. .May 20. The “Lyttelton ’limes” Mates that Government has given the A.S.R.S., the choice of four idu-niative proposals which are:—(1) - The Arbitration Court as at present constituted to deal with the dispute. (2) The Arbitration Court with a representative from each side associated with it to deal with the dispute. (11l - Parliament to deal with the dispute. (I) A Royal Commission to be set up within five months to deal with the dispute. If either the first nl- second proposals are accented, the hearing will take place ."ibnost immediately. If t lit* tourth is accepted, the hearing will be delayed until alter the session of Parliament. It is stated that in any event the question of hours will he discussed and i. at there is no undertaking that the !l hours week will be maintained. The "Times'' Iris aNo published the following co:res| ondem e on the sub. jeet restoring railwayman's trivileg.es: From It. McVilly (General .Manager) to J. Mack (General Secretary A.S.R. S.) With reference to your interview with me regarding the restoration ol pri 'dirges ill lespnt <■! tree passes. privilege tickets and superannuation of employees who leccntlv went on'strike. I have to inlorni you that as already intimated, the action of the men in striking automatically broke their service. The restoration of

te privileges afleeted by such break, is

tlieiefore a matter for negotiation, and iu that connection 1 desire to call your attention to the fact that at the interview between your President. yourself. the Minister

of Railways and myself, immediately subsequent to your Society’s decision to call oil the stiike. an undertaking was given by the President that the Society would terminate its affiliation

to the Alliance "f Labour, and take immediate action in that- direction. 1 shall he glad to have a written assurance that tile necessary steps have been

taken, and that the matter ol terminating the affiliation ol the Society l<> tlie organisation mentioned, will he

llisued to a finality, without undue de,v. On receipt of ibis information

and an undertaking from your Society that it will not again become a member of any nrgaiiisation not composed exclusively of employees in the Railway Department, the matter o! the restoration of superaiiuu.itioii and other privileges that have been affected b.v the break iu the men’s .service, will re-

rivc favourable , ousideration. Mr Mack’s icplv to this icaiN Tn re,|v to your letter of loth. May. I have

to advise that my Executive has now takcll action .to cancel its affiliation with the Alliance of Labour, and also undertakes that it will not again aftiliate during its term of office. T shall

be glad to receive an official intimatioi/'that- free passes, privilege tickets and suiK'rannuation of members have now been detiiiitelv restored.