STRIKE BALLOTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2720, 12 April 1924, Page 3

STRIKE BALLOTS

BY A.S.R.S. AND P. AND T. ASSOCIATION. DECISION BEFORE GOOD FRIDAY. Wellington, Last Night. Arrangements have been carried out as -usual for the strike ballot to be taken by the A.S.K.S. and the P. and T. Association. Both executives are sitting. The result of the ballot will be available before Good Friday. The Minister of Railways (Hon. J. G. Coates) on-being asked to-day if he was yet in a position to issue for publication tbe report by the chairman of the Railway Wages Board (Mr H. D. Aokiand), replied tbat he had not yet received ail three reports. He had the report of the A.S.R.S. representatives on the Board, but not that of the departmental representatives, and he did not wish to make any statement on the matter or to issue auy one of the reports until he had had an opportunity of assimilating and comparing all three. He did not tbnik it wise to rush into print on such an important matter. The reporter also called the Minister’s attention to section 121 (d) of tne Industrial Conciliation and Arbitration Aea, 1908’, which provides that if any industrial dispute arises between the Minister and the A.S.R.S. it may be referred to the Court for settlement. Un being asked if he contemplated tuking action under this section, the Minister' said that the matter was under consideration,