THE STRIKE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1920, Page 5

THE STRIKE.

THE FIRST DIVISION.

Mil CONFERENCE WITH PREMIER. 9m ,_ "THE OUTLOOK HOPEFUL" SATISFACTORY PROCRESS MADE. ?f Telegraph—Per Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. ' The Prime Minister arrived from Napier to-night. '« few minutes after his arrival he met representatives of the 'S.S7B.S. That interview continued for about an hour. The locomotive men next had their talk—a much shorter interview—and then, last of all, the representatives of the first Division Society had a few minutes with him. All the interviews were over in an hour and three-quarters. After he had met all the Societies, Mr. Massey made the following statement: "I have met representatives of the First and Second Division, and also of the locomotive men. In every case the discussion was quite frank and friendly. I cannot go into details, and I cannot say anything definite just yet. I will say that satisfactory progress has been made. The A.S.R.S. and the loco. men are to meet me again to-morrow.* Mr. Massey would say nothing more than this. The A.S.R.S. delegates came from the conference satisfied with the progress they had made. Mr. Hampton, President of the Society, said the outlook was "hopeful." It was understood that he had some proposal to make to his fellow unionists, and that he was of opinion that the result would be satisfactory. Mr. McArley, for the loco, men, would say nothing whatever about the discussion, replying merely that it had been agreed that the Minister would make a statement to the First Division representatives. " ' The Minister gave an assurance that the members of the Railway Officers' Institute would not be called upon to do the work of the Second Division men.

A COMPLETE STOPPAGE. FAR-REACHING COMPLICATIONSTHE MEN AND THE PREMIER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Last Night. The railway stoppage is practically complete in the North Island to-day. The executive of the A.S.R.S- decided last night to strike, and sent its telegraphed instructions to the traffic men at once. The response, reports the executive, has been immediate and complete. Two suburban trains ran into Wellington this morning, but the people had to go out by motor or on foot tonight. The Prime Minister will arrive in Wellington to-night. He has come from Rotorua, vk, Napier, and he telegraphed' in advance to the executives of the A.S.R.S- and the loco men to meet him •Iter his arrival. He will confer with them to-night, and doubtless will make s strong effort to secure n settlement. All the parties realise tha' .lie trouble Is becoming more acute with each day that passes. Wellington members of the first division are still nominally on duty, •nd a few of them have been assisting in the running of the restricted suburban sendees. These men forming the clerical staff are restive and their organisation—the Railway Officers' Institute—has secured from the Department an undertaking that members will not be forced to undertake second division duty"Anything that the first division men may do in this respect is voluntary, and has nothing to do with our organisation," said the secretary to-day, "but our men dislike the idea of taking any work, laid down by the second division men. We are going to see Mr. Massev and explain to him that the fact of our not being on strike does not mean we have no grievances. Our men have not balloted, and we are not in a position to strike, but we want to have our case heard by any tribunal that may be set up to consider railway affairs in general." The Advisory Board nf the Transport Federation met this morning, and endorsed the action of the traffic men and assured the railwaymen of both striking organisations of the utmost support of the affiliated transport workers the waterside workers, seamen, drivers, and tramwaymen. The significance of this resolution depends upon the developments of the next few days. The Federation undoubtedly, is in a position to call out the waterside workers aid the seamen in support of the railwaymen, and its officers hint that they kn prepared to move at abort notice. The troubles arising from the railway steppage are rapidly accumulating. An npward movement of prices is being cheeked by the Board of Trade and the tribunals, which announce that prices must not be increased without permission, but the Board cannot prevent shortages of supply. Freezing workers are being paid off and various other industries are threatened with speedy d'elocation. Acute difficulties are likely to arise in connection with coal sf the stoppage continues for many days. The prospects of a settlement arc hemg canvassed by all the parties tonight.' It is useless at the time of writing to anticipate the outcome of the eoafewaje with Mr. Massey. The find'nf of a basis of settlement is not an impossible task. The executive of tha two striking organisations are not composed of extremists, and if Mr. Massey is prepared to offer a tribunal approved by toe railwaymen, with a guarantee of immunity from all strike penalties, an early settlement will be within reach. The men say bluntly that they will not deal with the General Manager of Railways, and that they will not have their ease referred to a judge or magistrate. A curionx feature of the situation is fcvMence of discord between the two striking organisations. The loco men's weeeutive, which struck first, is by no weans pleased that the A.SJR.S. execu-

tive has also ordered a stoppage, and the two executives are having no communication with one another. They propose to interview Mr. Massey separately, and the loco men at any rate say that" they want a separate settlement. Railwaymen are aware that the relations between the two executives have been bad for a long time. The differences do not extend down to the rank and file of the two organisations, and probably their executives will be induced to come together before the trouble is ended, but' at preßent they are working independently. THE STRIKERS' VIEW. THEIR CLAIMS SET OUT. [ APOLOGIES To x'HE PUBLIC. Wellington, April 2f>. A statement from the Executive Council of the Engine-drivers, Firemen. and Cleaners' Association has been issued as follows: The Executive Council desires to state that it regrets that it has been compelled to inconvenience the public of New Zealand by a strike which has been the culmination of ten years' endeavor to bring the dispute to a settlement by every means placed at our disposal by the Governments of New Zealand. The executive also desires to state most emphatically that if the Prince had landed in the South Island at this juncture when the men were losing all patience and becoming out of hand we could have guaranteed a safe journey through the South Island and a settlement fixed before he came here. The exceptionally deplorable conditions of work imposed upon the North [aland men, such an' long hours, engine? in disrepair, etc., has made them force the executive to give way. This, coupled with the keen disappointment | nf the men at the Stringer report, the I non-granting of leave, and the ignoring of the executive's last request, brought about the strike, which it, was hoped to avert. It is hoped that the Prince may yet be given a Royal welIcome by a -speedy settlement and the executive council will participate in the demonstration in Wellington. Members of this organisation are almost entirely New Zealand by birth and havq joined with him in the fight for the freedom and democracy of the whole world in the greatest war. As New Zealanders therefore we offer a hearty welcome to any visitor who is looked upon as one of ourselves. To the people of New Zealand we make this statement: That we arc sorry that a more speedy settlement has i not been brought about and which would have given them an opportunity of see- ' ing the Prince. We trust the trouble : may yet be fixed for a welcome in Weli lington. The executive council would • prefer it any case that children should ■ be deprived of any pleasure than ■■-ee I one little body mangled in a train wreck, which was ran to come about . sooner or later by the heartless manneT , in which the officials have been giving consideration tn the future manning of locomotives in New Zealand. Our members have been resigning, men With considerable experience, in shoals and those left have been working longer hours and irregular, and wearing out their mental and bodilv systems. The engines would sooner ,or later have been manned by inexperienced men. upon whom the officials would put full responsibility for i the safe running of the engines.

STANDS BY TEE STRIKERS. , A DELICATE SITUATION. Wellington, Last Night. Pour hundred members of the Wellintgon branch of the Railway Officers' Institute unanimously carried the following resolutions:— (1.) This meeting affirms its absolute confidence in the sub-committee in any action they may take in the settlement of the present dispute. (2). This meeting expresses the wish that all Institute members refrain from performing any strictly second division duties. (3.) In the event of the Minister's reply to to-night's representations being unsatisfactory the question of taking extreme measures be considered at the special general meeting called for 1 p.m. to-morrow. (4.) In the event of the trains being Worked with free labor, this meeting considers that no assistance should be given by members of the Institute. POSITION IN AUCKLAND. STRIKE BALLOT TO BE TAKEN. Auckland, Last Night. A ballot will be held to-morrow by the Auckland branch of the Railway Officers Institute to decide whether they should strike in sympathy with the other railway unions. The resolution is the outcome of two lengthy meetings to-day. A prominent official expressed the opinion that there would be a larp* majority in favor of a strike, as the officers were strongly in support of the present strikers, and did not wish to be regarded as blacklegs. The branch, passed a resolution expressing its willingness to handle perishable goods now on hand, which were consigned before the strike. It also decided to do any work that might be required in connection with the tour of the Prince of Wales. SUPPORT FROM WANGANUT. Wanganni, Last Night. A special general meeting of {he Wanganni branch of the Railway Officers' Institute was held to-night to consider matters in connection with the present crisis. There was a record attendance. The following resolution was unanimously carried:— "That this meeting of the Wanganui branch of the R. 0.1. cannot accept any Royr.l Commission other than a Itoyi., Commission set up to determine what increases are necessary to bring salaries and wages up to their pre-war value and will support to their utmost every constitutional means taken by the executive to obtain our just claims for the salary schedule submitted to the Wages Enquiry Board." It was also resolved that the executive council be requested to extend all moral and practical support to the A.S.R.S. and the E.F. and C.A. in their battle. SOUTH ISLAND POSITION. TROUBLE THERE EXPECTED. SYMPATHY WITH THE NORTH. Dunedin, Last Night. The general secretary of the Railway Officers' Institute received a telegram from Mr. Massey from Napier stating that he would deal with the questions referred to in the secretary's telegrams on his arrival in Wellington. A telegram was also received from Mr. McVilly stating that no instruction was issued compelling the performance of second division work by members of the Institute. The opinion in railway circles in Dunedin is that the reinforcement of the A.S.R.S. will make matters slide fast, and an extension to the South Island is pretty certain —some say immediately—unless an understanding with the Premier is reached. A mass meeting of the Hillside workshop men discussed the strike and resolved: "We reaffirm our previous unanimous resolution attesting our support to the executive cour.cil in any extreme measure they may deem it necessary to take, and now that the limp for action has arrived we patiently await instructions from the executive." It was further decided to offer financial support to the men on strike in the North Island. The railway strike continues to Iv the absorbing topic, but there is nothing on the surface here to indicate any impending trouble. Coal supplies in Dunedin seem fairly feeure to cover any shortage, and it is the general opinion of local merchants that no railway strike could last long. Stocks of wood are very large, having been laid in against the winter, and in view of a po=sible general strike at any time. MEN DIFFICULT TO HOLD. OVERTIME WORK ABOLISHED. Christehurch, Last Night. "I have a telegram to say the northern men are out to a man, and it ia as much as ever we can do to hold the Southern men," said one of the highest officials of the Locomotive, Engineers, and Firemen's, and Cleaners' Association to a reporter to-day. The official added that the men are not at all happy about letting the North Inland men do the fighting for them. "You would be surprised to know how .■solid the men are," lie said. "We naturally had some doubts about the more elderly men in the service, but they are m it vo a man." A stop work meeting was held at the Addington workshops to-day to consider the question of overtime which had been worked in the shops recently with tiie object of catching up on arrears of work. A deputation from the emrineering shops waited upon the local committee of the A.B-R.S., and the committee made representations to the Department, with the result that all over, time at the works is to be stopped. This will affect the staff working on the train intended for use by the Prince of Wales in hi 3 tour of the South Island. The local committee of the A.S.RS. reported its action in regard to the overtime question to the executive of the A.S.R.S., with a request that the other workshops in the South Island should be advised of the decision at Addington. It is better to take precautionary measures against influenza than to wait until you have 1* in the system. The frequent daily use of "Nazol" is the most effective.

THE GREAT ALLIANCE.

SYMPATHY WITH THE STRIKE. PULL SUPPORT PROMISED. Wellington, Last Night. A fully representative meeting of the Transport Workers' Advisory Board was held to-day, when the following motion was carried: "That this meeting endorses the action of the A.S.R.S. in their decision to join issues with the E.F.C.A. in their demand for economic justice, and further we assure the railwaymen of both societies, and others implicated or involved, that they will have the utmost support of the affiliated transport workers' organisations, namely the waterside workers, seamen, drivers and iramwaymen of New Zealand; and that the support of the above Associations is at the disposal of the railwaymen should they require it." JOCKEYS TAKE A HAND. SUPPORT THE RAILWAYMEN. THE GOVERNMENT CENSURED. Auckland, Last Night. The executive of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association has lost no time in making it known that they are with the railwaymen. This morning the executive mot and carried the following resolutions: "The executive of the New Zealand Jockeys' Association endorse the action of the railway workers in striking for in: creased wages and better conditions. We pledge ourselves to support, them both morally and financially, recognising that their claims are just and reasonable, We are further of opinion that the. Government is deserving of the strongest censure for the indifferent manner in which they have handled the railway workers' claims for the past few years, in that they failed absolutely to take any notice of repeated warning until, through their indifferent handling of the men's just claims, they have plunged the Dominion into a disaster, for which they are wholly responsible." POSTAL TROUBLE. OAMARU RESOLUTIONS. SIMILAR TO THOSE ELSEWHERE. Oamaru, Last Night. At a record and enthusiastic meeting of the Oamaru branch of the P. and T Officers' Association, held on Wednesday evening, the following resolutions were unanimously carried:— , "That this section enters an emphatic protest against the methods cmployed by the Prime Minister and the Postmaster-General in avoiding the promised meeting with our "executive, thereby driving us from legitimate means of redress. AVe further voice (Usgust at the manner in which Sir Joseph Ward's promised bonus was flouted, and now place further action with the executive, and pledge support in whatever action they decide to take. "That this section desires to place on record its sympathy with the railwaymen in their struggle for a living wag'e.' "That this section wishes to place on record the aetion of the PostmasterGeneral in ignoring correspondence from the secretary of the P. and T. Officers' Association as published in the Katipo, re an interview, which compares unfavorably with the uniform courtesy received from the previous Postma'sterGenoral. "That this section is of opinion that the amount of the bonus being paid to lower grade officers is totally inadenuate to meet the increased cost of living' and that the action of the Government in allocating an amount in bonuses to officers drawing half the amount or less, shows the Government's lack of sympathy witli the lower paid workers' of the service." | FEELING IN CHRISTCHURCH. A STRIKE NOT LIKELY. Christchurch, Last Niglit. As far as the Christclmreli branch of the P. and T. Association is concerned inquiries made amongst officials to-day go to show that at this stage the idea nf ceasing work ia not seriously considered. "We would be a verv eold-fonted crowd if the executive called us out. and f very much doubt if there would lie a general response." was how one man put it. WATRARAPA SUPPORT. Mastcrton, Last Night. At an extraordinary meeting of the Wairarapa branch of the P.' and TOfficers' Association to-night, resolutions were passed urging the eweutive to secure an interview with the Prime Minister and the Postmaster General, and seek to establish the claims of the service to a living wage; that the failure of the postponement of the interview'he regarded as hostile to the service, and be acted upon as such after forty-eight hours; .that the executive be instructed to again demand the payment of the promised war bonus; Ihat the Wairarapa section whole heartedlv supports the railway service in its fighl, and tha* while members arc willing to perform their duty as public servants, they will take nc action to defeat railwaymen in their just fight