THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1919, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SERVICE.

THE MEN DISSATISFIED, EXHAUSTING PEACEFUL MEANS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A deputation from the Locomotive, Kngine-urivere, Cleaners and lureinen's Association waited on the acting-Prime Minister to-day. Mr. Henderson, president of the Association, said that the men by an almost unanimous vote, decided tiiat tut Government proposals did not meet with their approval. Some of their demands had been met by the Government, but there was an indication that much was to be taken away. The men resented any proposal aiming at the lowering wage of a man who J.as lieeome unlit to perform the highest duties as the result of conditions under which he had been working. The men also resented the proposal aiming at lowering ths wages of the cleaners, either present or future. A further proposal to give ■■', percentage of the engineers sixpence a day more than others in the same grade was the same as the scheme of the late Hon. J. Millar, when Minister for Railways, and which the men had then rejected. The bonus did not meet the claims of the men, and the proposal for time and a quarter as overtime would not have the desired effect of reducing overtime. Every peaceable means had been taken advantage of by the men's representatives, and the men had now decided, by a majority vote of ninety-five and a-half per cent., to eease work until their demands received more generous treatment. As, however, there were still other avenues by which a peaceful adjustment might be made, the Executive Council asked that a conciliator be appointed, and would suggest Judge Kim or Judge Stringer. Sir Jas. Allen, in reply, said the matter would be referred to the Hon. Hemes and Cabinet

Sir James' Allen eaid he hoped that, whatever bad come out of their negotiations so far, nothing would be done to create a disturbance in railway traffic "I liope ;that you will believe that the Railway Department has very carefully considered tho claims that you have made, and has made an honest effort, so I am assured, to meet your case and to deal with your difficulties. I understand you have some doubt as to whether the Minister for Railways and Manager of Railways are in earnest about the proposals "they have made. I have spoken to the Hon. Mr. Herries about this, and I give you an assurance that both the Government and Mr. Herries and the management (in Mr. McVilly) are in earnest, and it is their intention to carry out the proposals in the most liberal spirit. I ask you to take that assurance from Mr. Herries, and from me, as acting leader of the Government. I, of course, cannot go into the question of your pay, except to tell vyou, as you already know, that the Railway Department has agreed to make a bonus of 3s part of your pay. I am informed that that luis brought you into the position in which some per cent, of your locomotive drivers will receive 17s per day, and others 16s 6d, which is higher, so I am told, than in any individual State of the Commonwealth of Australia, except, perhaps, in tropical Queensland. Then I understand there has been a very great concession made, and that in regard to the payment of overtime. Hitherto it has been only after 48 hours have been worked in a week; and now it is to be paid at the rate of time and a-quarter after eight hours have been worked in a day." Sir James AJllen said he did not know whether the men's representations oir this point had been made to the Railway Department. The delegates: Yes. Sir James Allen: Was the last part of your statement made £o Mr. Herries? Mr. Henderson: We represented to Mr. Herries that 99% per cent, of the men had rejected his offer.

Sir James Allen said he would submit the matter to Mr. Herries, and to Cabinet. "I would like to ask you to consider the situation. The Government wants to be friendly with its employees, and wants its employees to be friendly with the Ministers and others who have the administration of departments. At a time like this it is essential that we should all hang together. The railway service has been a great credit to NewZealand, and so long as wo can carry on as the railway service has done there is encouragement for the State to enter into other business." He then asked the railwaymen to consider, even though they had to make some sacrifices for a time, whether they should not accept wliat was apparently the final offer of the Minister. He could assure them that, if latex it was found to be not fair, the Government would be prepared to consider whatever arguments they brought forward. He could make no promise, but he hoped thnt the attitude they had indicated thnt the men would take up would not be adopted, and that thev would continue to keep the service going. He could not say more, and lie was in a difficult position himself, us lie did not understand the management of railways. Ho assured (hem that the Minister of Railways was friendly disposed to them, and wished hi do the bust he could for them, and so did the Government. "We have our responsibility towards the State and tlm country, and between the two we have to decide on what seems to lis to ho the right courso. and pursue it, notwithstanding what the consequences may be."

_ After some .desultory discussion. Sir James Allen leplied that tbo requests .made by the deputation would be submitted to Cabinet. ■Mr. Henderson said it was imperative they should lmve a, MieeuV roply. As president of the ■organisation, ho had used every means to prevent trouble. He knew the .state of labor both inside and outside the railway, ami he sincerely desired to reach an agreement. He believed they had Sir .lames Allen's antipathy, judging by his speech in Dunedin on the question of Whitley committees, the representatives of the men had for f u the settlement of disputes between the men and the management, but tliey had been unable to reach finality Mr MeArley said the executive 'council of the association had had great diffi- -% strikes oy secKs timletT AHe " : " ril °P« you will contimie to keep peace." Ho knew that leaders in some organisations ] md ml of he/L W 'V\ regard t0 the introduction of better relations with labor, he had had something to say on this already and he hoped to say more in future He prormsed that the matter wondTe daS 7 Cabinet not kter than Tu -