THE STRIKE SPREADS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1920, Page 5

THE STRIKE SPREADS.

tHE POSITION LAST NIGHT.

IftAJftC MEN COME OUT TO-DAY. OUTLOOK BECOMING WORSE. (Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The railway trouble has developed (Jttlckly. The loco, men may be said to have started the strike on their own account. They forced the hands of their executive, but the sympathy of the traffic men was never in doubt, and the information available this evening indi* gates that the members of the A.S.R.S. will be on strike to-morrow. Some of them have stopped already, and the others are impatient. If the Government ever had a chance of Averting the trouble before it became general, the chance has now passed. The attentive of the Loco. Men's Association stated this afternoon that their stoppage was complete. "Our men have stopped practically without exception," said Mr. McArley to your correspondent. "We know of one man at Frankton who 1 has not. coine out. The Department ha 3 tried to run a few suburban trains with foremen as drivers, but has met with very little success. We hear that the traffic men, members of the A.S.E.S., are out at various points, and our executive has decided to support them right through. That means that the loco, men will not return until assured that the traffic men are also returning under satisfactory conditions. Many of the drivers are members of both organisations." The loco. executive states also that it has not been approached by the Governmeht regarding the Prince's train. The crews of the Royal trains have stated - that they will return from Rotorua to JTaumanmui, and will cease work there. The staff at Taumarunui have already •topped. Mr. Masssy telegraphed to the loco, mm to-day: "I am leaving for Wellington presently, but before doing so let me appeal to yon to call the strike off until the Visit of the Prince of Wales has come to an end. Far this purpose the complete resumption of the railway services Is absolutely essential, until, at least, the date of his departure." The reply of the Secretary is as follows: "Our executive expected you here on Tuesday night. I am advised.to state that until you reach here we have not power to call the strike . off. I desire to respectfully add that delay is making the matter of an early set' tlement difficult." ' That is where the matter stands to« night as far as the loco, men are concerned. The executive of the A.SJI.S. will meet to-morrow. The votes cast by members in the recent strike ballot are f.J>w being counted, and the President, Mr. Hampton, states that, although the final result is not available, an overwhelming majority in favor of a strike is disclosed. The traffic men are not waiting lor the ballot decision, but are striking already in sympathy with the loco. men. "We have received telegrams from various parts of the country, announcing that the A.S.R.S. members are stopping," said Mr. Hampton. "We cannot hold the men now that their fellow workers are out, and if the Government does not m»1r« a quick settlement all the traffic men will be 'on strike. lam not surprised at what is happening. The traffic men cannot be expected to carry on the services when the loco, men are fighting for fair treatment." Local information is to the effect that a complete stoppage of traffic men in the Xorth Island is not likely to be delayed beyond to-morrow. The Wellington men are meeting to-night, and they certainly will decide to stop. Some of them stopped to-day when asked to undertake duties connected with the very limited suburban service the Department was ■Me to run. The third group of railway workers, the members of the first division, Slave indicated through their organisation that they object to being asked to undertake duties in substitution for the strikers. Suburban tr*. \s to-day were run with the assistance of members of the Railway Officers' Institute, which comprises the first division. It is reported that some men refused tbis duty, and any attempt by the department to force them will almost certainly cause further trouble. The head office of the, Railway Depart* tnent has little to say to-day. The Min* ister and the tQeneral Manager are still at Rotorna. The Department admits - :(■„ that the stoppage is virtually complete, VMr-t H iwtotun Jtfta&Ni

/ TRAFFIC MEN GOME OUT. PREMIER GOING TO WELLINGTON. ROYAL TOUR IN JEOPARDY. ' The railway strike is developing, and the outlook is darker. Some of the traffic men ceased work yesterday, and a complete strike of the A.S.R.S. will take effect from to-day. Action will be confined to the North Island, and thus practically all the men of the railway service will be out to-day. The Premier, who is now motoring to Wellington, has appealed to the men to call the strike off until after the Prince's visit. The men's answer is that the strike must continue until Mr. Massey reaches Wellington. But, it is added, delay is making a settlement more difficult. Definite advice concerning the Prince's tour was not available early this morning, except that arrangements were being made for the Prince to return to Auckland. Discontent in the postal service has taken a serious turn. Meetings held last night stressed the urgency of the men's demands, and sympathy was expressed with the. railwaymen.

services on a minimum scale have been only partially successful. No official information is available as to the intentions of the Department. The Government is represented in Wellington by Sir Francis Bell and the Hon. W. Nosworthy. These Ministers realise the gravity of the .situation, but they are not in a position to do much pending the return of Mr. Massey. If the trouble continues, and the A.S.R.S. becomes involved as an organisation. then the Alliance of Labor will be broifght into the dispute. The Alliance of Labor, the most powerful industrial 1 combination ever formed in New Zealand, comprises the Railway Trafficmen, tho Seamen, Waterside Workers, Miners, ! i Drivers and Tramwaymen. It interI viewed Mr. Massey some months ago regarding the railway dispute, and its executive is going to meet iD Wellington immediately. The officers of the Alliance had no information to disclose today. A shortage of supplies in country districts, interference with all trades, delay in the handling of steamer cargoes, difficulty about coal supplies for freezing factories and gasworks, and a drastic reduction of ma,il services are among the difficulties that the railway strike is going to produce quickly. Just how far the II trouble will go it is impossible to say 1 at present, but the attitude of the men to-night is uncompromising. There is some comment on the delay of the Gov--1 ernment in setting up a tribunal under 1 the La'uor Disputes Investigation Act to ! hear the case of the A.S.R.S. The dis- ■ pute was filed last week and apparently 1 no move has yet been made by the Govi ernment. PREMIER'S NEW APPEAL. ! RESUMPTION AGAIN URGED. ' • MR. MASSEY LEAVES FOR , WELLINGTON. Rotorua, Last Night. The railway position was considered by , Ministers at a special Cabinet meeting to-day, as a result of which the followi ing telegram wa-s sent to Mr. McArley, | secretary of the Engine-men's Associai tion:—"l am leaving for Wellington presently, but, before doing so, let me api peal to you to call the strike off' until , after the visit of the Prince of Wales has , come to an end, and for this purpose a . complete resumption of the railway ser- [ vices is absolutely essential until at least , the date of his departure.—(Signed) W. , F. Massey." The Premier left immediately after , Cabinet rose, proceeding via Taupo to Napier, m route to Wellington,

WEST COAST MINERS. SUPPORT THE RAILWAYMEN. TIMBER WORKERS IN SYMPATHY. Greymouth, Last Night. There is great interest here in the railway strike. A large stop-work meeting of State coal miners took place this morning, and after an address by the president (Mr. P. C. Webb), passed the following resolution with cheers:—''That this stopwork meeting of State miners endorses the action of the New Zealand Loco, Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Asso- | ciation in striking for increased wages j and more humane conditions of employI ment, and we pledge ourselves to sup- | port them both morally and financially, : recognising that their fight is our fight; their victory our victory, whilst their defeat would be the defeat of workers throughout the country." , the resolution telegraphed to the secIt was resolved to have the terms of retary of the Loco Men's Society (Mr. McArley) the secretary of the Miners' Federation Mr. Arbuckle), and the Minister of Railways (Mr. Massey). The Westland Timber Workers' Union Executive, at a meeting to-day, pafssed a resolution similar to the coal-miners, upholding the action of the railwaymen and pledging moral and financial support. The executive also directed the secretary to wire Mr. Massey as follows: — "At a special meeting of our executive to-day I was instructed to wire you that the Westland Timber Workers' Union supports the railwaymen in their just demands, and calls upon Cabinet to grant game to save a New Zealand-wide industrial upheaval, or otherwise to call Parliament together at once and give the House of Representatives a chance of

A.S.R.S. ATTITUDE.

BALLOT FAVORS A STRIKE. A DELICATE SITUATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Interest centres at the moment upon the action of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, and the members are stated to be in absolute sympathy with the action of the E.F.C.A., and it is certain they will do nothing to aid the Government in overcoming the difficulty raised by the strike. The Society's application under the i Labor Disputes Act for a tribunal to hear its claims has been lodged for some days, and members are said to be restive •t the delay on the part of the Government in taking action following on the application. No details of the ballot taken iby the Society upon the strike question are available yet, but the General Secretary stated this morning that the ballot was overwhelmingly in favor of a strike. The A.S.R.S. was in session all the morning and afternoon, but Mr. Mack said the meeting was not directly concerned with the strike, though no doubt that would be considered. No statement will be available until to-morrow. THE DECISION TO STRIKE. CQNFINED TO NORTH ISLAND. Wellington, Last Night. The following argent telegram has been addressed to the Prime Minister by Mi. R. Hampton, president of the AS.R.S.:— "'The recent ballot is overwhelmingly in favor of a general fitrike. Our repeated representation to the Government and the Department that the situation was critical not having been taken seriously, we have now no alternative but to give effect to the members' decision forthwith. For the present the strike will be confined to the North Island." (Sgnd.) R. Hampton, president, M. J. Mack, general secretary. NEW MOVE INEVITABLE. BUSINESS MEN INTERVENE. PROPOSE MEDIATION. (By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Lasi, Night. 'The announcement of a strike of the North Island members of the A.S.R.S. (lid not come as a surprise. The members of the traffic branch ceased work at various points during the day in sympathy with the loco, men, and it was obvious that they were forcing the hands of their executive. Mr. Hampton, President of the A.S.R.S., stated this evening that his executive had done its utmost right to the last to avert a strike. Tho secret ballot had resulted in an overwhelming majority in favor of striking, and strong pressure had come from the branches for an immediate stoppage. The Society had lodged a dispute under the Labor Disputes Investigation Act, and if the Prime Minister had dealt with this matter promptly the executive might have been able to stave off the trouble, but Mr. Massey had made no move towards setting up the tribunal provided for by the Act, and the executive felt that it had no option but to declare a strike forthwith. The president of the iVellington Chamber of Commerce interviewed the loco executive to-night and suggested that a committee of business men should be authorised to consider the dispute and make recommendations, the strike to be called off in the meanwhile- He was sure that a settlement could be arranged by men who had the confidence of all parties. The executive gave Mr. Carr a very friendly hearing, but replied subsequently that it could not undertake any negotiations until it had seen Mr. Massey and settled some preliminaries relating to superannuation, victimisation and so forth. It would be glad to have the assistance of the business men in advising Mr. Massey to bring about a speedy settlement. NORTH ISLAND DISLOCATION. EVERY LOOO. MAN OUT. 'SOUTH READY TO FOLLOW. Wellington, Last Night. Mr. McArley, secretary of the Locomotive Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association, states that every member of the Association in the North Island has left work. "The men," he said, "will not go back until there is a reasonable prospect of their demands for higher wages and v improved conditions being conceded by the Government." The Post learns that so far the Association has not been informed what steps the Government intends to take, and unless something is done quickly it is felt there will be considerable difficulty in holding the South Island men to their work. It is stated that the South Island men are anxiously awaiting developments in the North Island, and are prepared to act on word from the Executive of the Association. Asked to state briefly what the demands of the men are, Mr. McArley said: "The men want a standard wage paid to loco, men throughout the world. They also want improved conditions, and these conditions must be stated in black and white in plain language, and signed up by both sides. The Executive has not vet been approached in reference to manning the Prince's train, but I can state the present crew will take the train as far as Taumarunui, which is the end of its run." > The General Secretary of the Railway Officers' Institute has sent the following telegram to the Minister of Railways:— "I urgently request that no member of the Railway Officers' Institute 'be called upon to perform Second Division duties during the present crisis. The Institute is not a party to the dispute, and for the future welfare of the Railway Department it is most advisable that our members should not be brought into conflict with the members of the Second Division."

SOUTH ISLAND POSITION.

MEN'S ATTITUDE UNCERTAIN, NORMAL SERVICES RUNNING. Dunedin, Last Night. The dramatic denouement on the railways seetns to have created surprise, even in inner circles here, and whatever issue was put to the meeting of the local men on Sunday, no hint can be obtained that it portended action. It is considered possible the South will follow the attitude of the A.S.R.S., who declared for the method provided by the Labor Disputes Investigation Act. It is generally held, however, that the division over the method of procedure will not affect the solidarity. Now the issue has been forced, one of the leading officials of the A.S.R.S. states that responsibility now rests entirely with the Preimer and Mr .MeVilly, and their willingness to meet the three societies in a conciliatory spirit. The local train services are running on time. There is no rush by visiton today to get home. Profound secrecy is maintained locally regarding the strike- Railway business proceeds as usual, and there is no indication of uneasiness among the travelling public. Delegates to the A.S.R.S. executive in Wellington left to-day to attend an urgent meeting. The executive of the Railway Officers' Institute to-night decided that the Minister of Railways he advised the Institute would not agree to the proposal made by him in his letter of the 21st Inst- with regard to the appointment of a commission consisting of two stipendiary magistrates and an assessor from the Institute and the department to consider the question of the increase in the cost of living between January Ist and June Ist. It was further resolved to adhere to the claim made before the Railway Wages Inquiry Board on February sth and repeated to the Minister of Railways on April 15 in respect to salaries of members of the first division. The general secretary was instructed to advise Mr. Massey to this effect. CURTAILMENT IN CANTERBURY. Christrlmreh, Last Night. "Until we know what is going to happen in the South Island we cannot attempt to draw up an emergency time-table," said the district traffic manager to-day. "If the men here do go out, of course we will do our best. T think we will be able to keep a few trains running on the more important niburban lines, including Lyttelton, 'but all that depends on the number of men who will remain loyal. At present. I have no information whatever on that point." A reporter was informed that even without a strike, a severe curtailment of the existing service was bound to come in Canterbury. It was stated that in the Christchurch yard alone the number of shunters is: fourteen or fifteen below normal, and that in Lyttelton all shunting has been done for weeks by porters. AUCKLAND DEADLOCK, THREAT OF COAL SHORTAGE. INDUSTRIES IMPERILLED. j Auckland, Last Night. All the members of the locomotive branch of the railway ceased work as directed by the executive, and the railways of the Auckland province are practically at a standstill. A few suburban trains were run to-day, but these were quite una'ble to cope with the passengers who work in the city. In view of the very grave effects of the strike upon the industries of the city, the Mayor has been asked to call a meeting I of the business community to discuss tho situation. In the meantime, however, he is in communication with the Prime Minister with a view to ascertaining the position as regards the pay of railwaymen and the offers of tho Government. The Auckland Provincial Farmers' Union is also communicating with Mr. Massey, and the Locomotive Association, with reference to the menace to food supplies as a result of the holding up of primary products. The tramways and electricity services are already threatened through a lack of coal. No goods traffic is being accepted for the few trains which are running. OOAL MINES CLOSE. DEPENDENT ON RAILWAYS. Auckland, Last Night. As a result of the railway strike the Taupiri mines and Pukemiro collieries, which are dependant on trucks for the transport of coal, closed down to-day. This means that Auckland from these mines alone will lose, 620 tons per day. Stocks of coal in Auckland are very short. , MAIL FROM AUCKLAND. TARANAKI CUT OFF. Auckland, Last Night. The officers of the Postal Department had a particularly busy time to-day in trying to arrange details of the reduced mail service to points hitherto served by the railway. Mail for Wellington and the South was despatched by the steamer Otaki. Motor cars are being used for the carriage of mails as far south as Te Kuiti, but oniy first-class mail matter (letters and postcards) will be accepted. The members of the A.S.R S- held meetings at Auckland and Newmarket to-day. At the meeting of the Auckland branch it was decided that under no circumstances would members carry out work other than that included in their ordinary routine duties. "The position at the meetings was one of touch and go," said an official subsequently, "They were very restive, and we had a hard job holding them. They might get out of hand at any time."

POSITION IN TARANAKI.

FOOD SUPPLIES HELD UPTHREAT OF COAL SHORTAGE. TRAVELLERS' EXPERIENCES. Although only a small section of the railway employees were concerned as actual participants in the strike yesterday, the effect of the action of these men in ceasing work will he very farreaching, and this will become more acutely so if the dislocation extends ror any length of time. The first immediate effect of the disruption was experienced with the arrival of the steamer Rarawa from Orchunga at her usual time yesterday morning. There was, of course, no train to bring passengers and their luggage up to town, and resort had to be had to the motor taxies, and the tram service, but it was some time before all the passengers reached the town. The travelling public hardly realised that the strike was actually on, and quite a number assembled at the station as usual prior to 1 '1 e time for the departure of the mail train. However, the fact that the main line alongside the platform was absolutely clear of either carriages or engine brought home the position forcibly to even the most sceptical, whilst those who hoped that there would be sufficient men loyal to run a skeleton service, had their hopes dispelled. Guards there were in plenty; also porters and other officials, but without the man at the lever they were powerless. 'The travelling public present appeared to take the matter philosophically, nnd after discussing the position for a few moments, left the platform, some to return to their homes, having abandoned all idea of making the projected journey, whilst others who were compelled to travel, went in search of motor cars. THE RARAWA'S CARGO. The most serious difficulty arose in connection with the delivery of the cargo which the Rarawa had brought from the north, which included about 60 tons of sugar, a quantity' of fruit and fish. The wharf at the port is practically under the control of the railway in so far as the handling ol goods is concerned, and the strike put the whole organisation out of action. When the wharf laborers assembled at 8 a.m. as usual there were no trucks available, and no prospect of the vessel'? cargo being worked, and as S o'cloc'-" is the only "call hour" for work at the wharf, the men consequently dispersed for the day, and the vessel was irtfeTlie supply of sugar in town is prac tically exhausted, and if the other more perishable portion of the cargo is not discharger! it will quickly deteriorate Those, therefore, who are concerned in the handling of these goods were concerned as to how to secure their sup. plies, and steps were immediately taken with a view to' having at least the perishftble portion of the vessel's cargo, and the sugar cargo, discharged before the vessel left for the north again. The town merchants and grocers at once waited on the chairman of the Harbor Board (Mr. Newton King) and also communicated with the stationmaster (Mr. J. O'SheaJ, with a view to getting permission to run motor vehicles .alongside the ship into which the cargo cOukl be discharged and brought up to, town. Every assistance in this direction was promised by both the gentlemen interviewed, and the trade representatives then sought out the officials of the waterside wortcers to see whether they would discharge the goods in the afternoon, Captain Bark having stated that this portion of the cargo was easily accessible. A reply was received, however, that the men would not be at the wharf again until this morning, and if the vessel was there she would'be worked bb usual. Steps were then taken to ascertain if the Rarawa could be held back until the cargo was landed, and in the afternoon the local manager of the Northern Co. (Mr. D. Penman) received instructions from Auckland to hold the Rarawa here until 5 o'clock this afternoon, and have as much of the town cargo discharged as possible. Consequently unloading will be commenced at 8 o'clock this morning, the goods being brought up to town and taken to the railway goods shed, where, at their own risk, the merchants will have to do all the sorting and checking, and such distributing as can be done. PROVISIONING THE COUTRY. Country districts were communicated with by the leading merchants yesterday and advised of the position of things. In many cases they stated that they were able to carry on for the present, but that if the position was not improved in a day or two something would have to be done to secure'delivery of ordersMany of the country storekeepers, as well as those in the other towns of the province, intimated that they wore prepared to send in motor lorries in order to secure their goods. This, of course, must affect the cost to the consumer, and the merchants have suggested that people will have to be prepared to meet this contingency. Already the influence of tho strike has been felt in this direction, and a Press Association message from Wellington yesterday stated that one effect of the strike is a notable increase in the market price of produce. Potatoes, which sold yesterday at £9 per ton, brought £ls to-day. QUESTION OP BENZINE. What may still further complicate matters in regard to delivery is the fact that benzine supplies are by no means unliimted. The shipment that came to hand recently was distributed as evenly as possible, but those who got supplies had to declare that tho quantity was not more than sufficient for four weeks' normal requirements. Should all deliveries have to be made by motor vehicles ordinary supplies will be exhausted in a few days. COAL SUPPLIES. Inquiries regarding the coal position showed that supplies were very short and merchants had reduced deliveries to one bag per customer. The public institutions have been supplied as fully as possible, and the essential industries have also been given as Rood supplies as could be arranged. The provincial gas companies' works have just had their stocks replenished in time, the discharge of the ICini at the port giving them sufficient to keep going on for some weeks. The vessel was due to come back here direct from Westport with another cargo, but it will be of no use her coming here now as the coal would not be discharged. She ' will in all probability be diverted to another sort. One New Plymouth ooal

merchant stated he had about 30 tons of coal on the way here by rail. "But," he remarkeyi, "it's good-bye to that now!" The position in New Plymouth was taken quietly yesterday, people for tfie most part Ibeing inclined to await eventualities. Some, however, had grave forebodings of further trouble, and Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., telegraphed the Prime Minister as follows: "Have information indicating railway trouble likely to extend seriously, causing great hurt to commerce and industry of the Dominion unless handled carefully and quickly. Position gravest in my experience last twenty years. If unable to settle present position personally, suggest Parliament be summoned immediately to deal with this and other problems involved." THROUGH COMMUNICATION. It is understood that an attempt was made yesterday to get a mail through from New Plymouth to AVellington, one of Mr. G. Gibson's cars leaving with a letter mail early in the morning. There was also through communication between Wellington and New Plymouth, one of the Empire City newspapers landing its publication here at an early hour last evening. A Press Association message from Wellington states also that by arrangement with the postal authorities, the Unjon Company will run the Aralnira between Wellington and Onehunga. She will leave each port twice a week- She will carry mails and accommodation for 200 passengersVISITORS STRANDED. THE POSITION AT ROTORUA, CROWDED TOWN CUT OFF. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Rotorua, Last Night. News that the railway strike had actually come to pass after the mutterings and rumors of yesterday caused consternation among the visitors gathered for the Royal celebrations in, Rotorua. To the two thousand Europeans concerned, as well as the six thousand natives concentrated in the camp on the racecourse at Aroha Park, it presaged immediate difficulties of an embarrassing character. Many had come with just sufficient funds to carry them over the holiday, and the prospect of a prolonged stay meant the dispatch of urgaut telegraphic appeals to their homes for money. Hundreds besieged the railway station during the morning to glean whatever information was available as to possible train movements, but the stationmaster was unable to do more than refer them to the notice posted up that "all goods, parcels, live stock, and milk, traffic is suspended till further notice."