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Taranaki Daily News, 26 April 1920, Page 4

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PRE-WAR CONDITIONS WANTED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, rApril 24. Replying to the Prime Minister's statement regarding the Government's offer to the raihvaymen, Mr. R. Hampton, National President of the A.S.R.S., stated that the crux of the whole position'was whether the railwaymen were entitled to a standard of living wage equal to the pre-war conditions. If it was contended the country cannot afford to place the men in such a position, it must be shown that other sections: of the community are making an equal sacrifice to that expected from the railwaymen. Other industrial sections of the community, by direct negotiations, secured greater increases on the prewar rates than those so far obtained by the railwfty-mon by constitutional meansMr. Hampton urged that the Government Statistician should be brought before the investigating board, when ho could be examined as to its findings and conclusions, also thrit an arbitrator should be selected by negotiation as provided for in the Industrial'Disputes'Act. The A.S.R.S- did' not want and was desirous of the matter being settled amicably and without prejudice to the public interest. If the' position was reviewed impartially he was confident the possibility of trouble would be averted. The matter, however, must be dealt with without further delay. CHRISTCHURCH MEN'S VIEWS. NEW PROPOSALS OPPOSED. j Christchurch, April 24. At a stop work meeting the Addington branch of the A.S.R.S. passed the following resolution: "This .stop, work meeting strongly objects to the proposal for a further commission to investigate wages and conditions on the lines suggested in the Prime Minister's communication to the general secretary. We support the action of the executive in filing a dispute for hearing under the Industrial Disputes Investigation Act, and failing that eourse'being agreed upon within one week, urge upon the executive to give effect to the strike ballot recently taken. , If the executive are not prepared to give effect to this ballot they are called upon to resign"