STRIKE THREAT

Taranaki Daily News, 8 February 1921, Page 5

STRIKE THREAT

DEADLOCK ON RAILWAYS. SOUTH ISLAND TROUBLE. STRIKE MAY START TO-MORROW. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Feb. 7. A punishment imposed on a driver has caused trouble among the members of the locomotive branch of the railway service and a strike j.s threatened. It as charged against the driver that he started a train from Port Chalmers when the starting signal had not been given by the semaphore in the station yard, but that no question of endangering the public w r as involved in the starting of the train; moreover, the guard of the train had given the starting whistle to the driver. As the result of an official inquiry it is stated that the stationmaster at Port Chalmers was severely reprimanded, the signalman and a shunter each fined £l, and the guard""exonerated. In the case of the driver the decision of the punishments board was that he should be reduced ' for Six months to the rank of fireman. A special meeting yesterday of the local branch of the E.F.C.A. passed'a resolution: “That unless our executive gets Driver Barclay reinstated as a driver we intend in a body to cease work at midnight on Wednesday as a protest against the drastic punishment dealt out to this member.”

The general secretary of the E.F.C.A., the Minister of Railways, and the General Manager have been advised.

THE PREMIER FIRM. RESPONSIBILITY ON THE MEN. PROPER METHODS ADVISED. Wellington, Last Night Regarding the threatened railway strike at Dunedin Mr. Massey has sent the following telegram: —“You must know that the proper constitutional method of dealing with any grievance is through the executive. Barclay may take his ease to the Appeal Board, which will probably sit in the South Island next week, or he may appeal direct to the general manager or to the Minister. The passing of a danger signal, thus involving public safety, is a serious matter which cannot be passed over. I hope wiser counsels may prevail and that a more satisfactory course than that suggested be adopted, but please understand that the’ responsibility for anyhing that may take place rests with you and those on whose behalf you forwarded the telegram.”