RAILWAY-STRIKE

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 28 April 1920, Page 3

RAILWAY-STRIKE

ALL NORTH ISLAND TRAINS CEASE RUNNING. EAR-REACHING EFFECTS. For some time past there has been much discontent among the Tuilway men, and affairs were brought to a crisis yesterday when the executivo of the Locomotive, Engineers, Firemen and Gleaners' Association announced that its members in the North Island had been directed to cease work at midnight. Trains leaving before midnight would be carried to their destination, but no further trains would be worked. "onsequcntly the. whole train service of the North Island is at u standstill to-day.

REASONS FOR THE STRIKE. The Association issued n statement. in which they declare that the reason for their action is "because they ar« in receipt of wages which have the lowest purchasing power of any men employed in similar work in the llnglish-spcaking world." They state that every means had been exhausted by the executive council in arriving at an amicable settlement, without avail. The fact that the Department had refused delegates leave to go to Wellington on April 21st to consider the position had precipitated matters. The meetings held throughout New Zealand were the largest and most extraordinary in the history of the railways, and the decision had been arrived at unanimously. The Association claims that the locomotive men in Now Zealand are. not paid a wage equal to the world's standard for such men, and the men's ease had been ignored by the Minister, who proposed setting up another board to enquire into the cost of living. The secretary of the Association states that the presence of the Prime of Wales in the Dominion had nothing whatever to do with the strike.

A PvESTRICTED SERVICE POSSIBLE. The General Manager of Railways (Mr K, W. MeVilly) is in charge of the railway arrangements for the tour Of the Prince of Wales, and accompanies the Royal train. The Assistant-General Manager (Mr ,J. Milt-Donald) told a "Dominion" reporter that ho had received no communication from the executive of the K.F.C.A.. but he had learned during the morning of the proposed stoppage of work. The men had given no notice of their intention to take this step, and it was impossible for him to say much on the subject until he had secured fuller

information. The Department, added Mr MncDonald, would endeavour to arrange lor the continuance of certain railway services. It would do its best to maintain suburban services, but just how much could bo dono in the event of tin loco, men carrying thoir expressed intention into effect he could not say. THE PRINCE'S VISIT. i TOUR MAY BE AFFECTED. U is considered likely that the. railway strike will affect the programme arranged in connection with the Prince's visit. A Press Association telegram from Kotoruo states that the authorities are confident of carrying our the original programme without interruption. However, it is possible that the Prince of Wales may motor to Auckland, and go from thence to Wellington by the R<Tnown. If this is necessary it will mean the cutting out of the visits to all inland towns along the Main Trunk line, liven if the Prince's tour is as arranged before, it wiTl be considerably marred by the fact that the public will be unable to visit the centres, aud the j children will be unable to participate j in the welcomes.

POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. PROVISION FOR MOTOR SERVICES The Secretary. General Post Office, advised vesterday afternoon that in view of the possibility of a railway strike taking place at midnight, the following arrangements would hold: For places throughout the Dominion where mails are served by railway, motor services will be provided. Mail: will be sent from Wellington to Wanganui thrice weekly. Wanganui to New Plvmouth thrice weekly (on days following arrival of mails in Wanganui from Wellington). Wellington to WoodviUe thrice weekly, and Palmerston North to Napier thrice weekly. Similar arrangements will be made in other parts of the North Island and throughout the South Island. ' s. s bulky mail matter, such as newsoarers, packets, and parcels, cannot b« conveyed by motor car, in no cireumstances will matter other than letters be transmitted. Mail =ervices other than those run dj train will not be interfered with except that letters only will be transmitted, . , The Otaki pcstmastei has received information that a mail was to leave Wellington for Otaki and other centre; at noon to-day. No definite statement was made as to when the mail woulc reaeh Otaki. NOTES. The first intimation the Prime Minis ter had of the strike- was the receipt o a teleeram yesterday morning. » Miis&ev in his *e&? ur 6 cd its T consider their decision, and said th* anything in the way of a strike jus now would be a disgrace to the Bomir ion. - Mr Holland, M.P. has wired T Q ■ Prime Minister urging that Parliamen bf- called together immediately to cor li'ler the position. Although the South Island trains w

] running to-day, it is generally thought I that the men in the South will follow I the North and strike. The Wellington City Council hat I made arrangements for taking milk i from Otaki, To Horo and other centres along this coast to the city by mcaoi of motor lorries, which are running today. TKS LATEST. NO FURTHER DEVELOPMENT. In reply to enquiries made at three o'clock this afternoon, wc were informed from Wellington that there was no further development with regard t» the strike