THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2121, 29 April 1920, Page 3

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

A.S.R.S. NOW OUT. SOUTH ISLAND SERVICES STILL RUNNING. Wellington, Last Night. Air AlcArlcy, secretary of the Loco. Engine Drivers, Firemen and Cleaners’ Association, states that every member of the Association in the North Island has left work. “The men/" he said, “will not go hack until there is reasonable prospects of their demands for higher •wages and improved conditions being conceded by the Government.”

The Post learns that so far the Association has not been informed what steps the 'Government, intends to take, and unless something is done quickly, it is felt there will be considerable difficulty in holding the South Island men to their work. It is stated that the South Island men are prepared to act on a word from the Executive.

Asked to state briefly what the demands of the men were, Air AlcArloy said: “The men want the standard wage paid to locomotive men throughout the world. They also want improved conditions, and these conditions must be stated in black and white in plain and signed up by both sides. The Executive has not yet been approached in reference to manning the Prince’s train, but I can slate that the present crew will take the train as far as Taumarunui, which is the end of its run.”

A.S.K.S. DECISION CHEERED. Wellington, Last Night. After the telegram disclosing the lesnll of the A.S.R.S. strike ballot had boon sent -la Mr Massey, Mr Hampton (president of the A.S.U.S) made a statement to a reporter: “I luvseif, and our executive, have done (inr utmost, right up to the last minute, to avert the spreading of (he strike. We had hoped that some reply would have reached Vi's to-day from the Prune Minister (hat our replies; for a. meeting and the Labour Disputes Investigation would he gianted. Had this come through, I believe the executive could have stayed off I lie; spread of the trouble, but-in the absence of any reply, and with the pressure from our branches, and also with the emphatic decision by a secret ballot in favour of a strike, we can no longer lake any other course than that now adopted. Our ballot was a very big one. We have the ballot papers here in our oflice, and if thci’e is any ((iiestion raised as to the number of voles recorded, or as to how the men voted, onr ballot papers are open for inspeelion hy any responsible officer should scrutiny he desired." When the executive of the A.S.-li’.i-t, was silling (o consider what action should he taken hy the Society in the strike, there was a crowd of several hundred railwaymen waiting below in the street to hear ihe result. 'When the announcement was made to (hem that the A.S.ILS. were in Hie strike from that moment, the crowd cheered very loudly, and received Ihe news with quite evident satisfaction.

P. & T. ULTIMATUM. At an urgent special meeting ol the employees of the Manawalu seelion of the Post and Telegraph Officers’ Association, marked -throughout with enthusiasm, Hie following resolutions were passed unanimously: —That the Ministry lie given 24 Ilnurs’ notice to meet onr executive. In Hie event of our demands being side-stopped, slap-work meetings he called throughout the Service to decide on further action. It was resolved to request the executive to demand that all soldier members of the Service be placed on the same fotiug as half-pay. The meeting resolved to heartily support the railway employees in their struggle for justice, and offered their support. Keen feeling was evident throughout the meeting, winch (dosed with cheers for the railwaymen. Other branches of the P. and T. throughout New Zealand passed similar resolutions. . *

ARE POLICE INVOLVED ? It was stated in Palmerston last night, says the Times, that the police organisation is acting in close co-operation with the railway men. and that their attitude will be guided by events. BANK CLERKS .MEET. The hank clerks in various centres of New Zealand met last night, hut the result of their deliberations is not known.