BRITISH RAILWAYS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 January 1920, Page 5

BRITISH RAILWAYS.

OFFER TO THE MEN. REJECTED BY MANY BRANCHES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Jan. S. Twenty-three branches of railwaymen up to the present have rejected the new terms, and only two have accepted. The peace of the railway world depends ori the happenings of the next few daya. Trade Union leaders are divided as regards the outcome of the task of Mr. Thomas and his associates, that is, to persuade the delegates to accept the Government's offer. They will exert utmost pressure to secure a favorable verdict and as a last resort will try to get a postponement of the final decision. The delegates will be given every opportunity to discuss the details. The conference may last three days, anyhow the greatest tussle between extremists and moderates is anticipated. In the event of another crisis the executive may resort to a ballot. Public opinion is freely expressed that the men would be unwise to reject the offer. Meanwhile the extremists' standpoint is that they won the last strike and they are of opinion that they could win another. Opposition to the offer is based on 'a general desire to press the original demand, namely, that the 33s bonus should be added to the highest rate of pay of each grade and the total made the permanent standard rate on the ground that this has already been conceded to drivers and firemen-—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. and Reuter. ' MORE REFUSALS, I DIG MEETING TO DECIDE ACTION. Received Jan. 7, 7.20 p.m. London, Jan. fi. At thirty large centra? the railwaymen rejected the Government's terms. Only two have thus far accepted. Much importance attaches to to-morrow's meeting of raiiwaymeu's delegates, who will decide the matter.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.'