THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 7, 30 April 1920, Page 8

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

SOME INTERVIEW. There seems to be some difficulty in getting information locally about the present position of the railway s tribe. Our representative interviewed Mr Riddell (president Soufchland .Employees' Association), he stated that it was a very serious mattei at this time. W?e were still sulfering from the railway cut a few months ago, and it would be serious if the matter was not defmitely settled. Asked if he considered that the strike would assume any magnitude, Mr Riddell stated that there wap reasonable grounds to beneve that the Wellington Watersiders would come cut, and, Mr Pryor (secretary of the Federation), had left for Wellington to be in close touch with evente. The strike may extend to the south, but he was doubtful. Mr Riddell stated that in his opinion the Government had not done all in its power to prevent the strike, and the general manager seems to have been out of touch with the trend of events. Nevertheless, he had cdnfidence in Mr Massey to take tho matter in hand and bring about a satisfactory settlement. Mr Provan (secretary of the Amalgam.ated Society, Carpenters and Joiners Union), was interviewed and stated that there seemed to be general dissatisfaction in the railway service, which had stood lcyally to the eouiitry notwithstanding strenuous times. There was some difficulty in getting sufficient evidence to weigh the matter up but he believed the strike would be confined to the north. The next two days would be the most critical and required wise handling. The Minister for Railways was largely to blame for not giving greater considcration to the men's demands, and more so than Mr McVilly who had to refer to the Minister any important considerations. Mr Provan was asked what view was taken by other unions as far as he knew. He replied that he believed the watersiders would work but treat as "black," goods handled by tho railway. It is not likely that the st-riko will extend but something inust be done immediately to meet the just demands of the men. A large numbev of the carpenters had left the service and joined his union where they can get better conditions and pay. A member of the local branch of the E.F.C.A. was interviewed by our reporter, but was unable to give anything outside of what had already appear, ed in the press. These reports fairly stated the case and there was no truth in the suggestion that the strike was timed for the Royal visit. The men in the North Island had got out of hand and it lay with the Government to do the right thing, and thus prevent it from spreading. It was not desired that the South Island men come out if it could be avoided, neither was it desired that the dislocation of the railways should be of any magnitude, but the Government had the remedy in their hands. The local Executive was awaiting word from headquarters, and its action would be determined by that. Asked if

the Government was principally to blame, it was stated that it was impossible for Mr Massey to hold the portfolio of Minister of Railways in conjunction with his other offices. This office had always been separate and should be so now. Mr Massey had done a great deal of work during the past months, and naturally enough had to he guided in the main by Mr McVilley, who had not made good as far as the men were concerned. On the Commission presided over by Mr Justice Stringer, was a representative of the Government and of our Association. It now transpires that they were only in an advisory capacit.y, whereas it was understood they would have a say in the findings. There was discontent right through the service where men with lo years service were getting 12s 6d per day, while inst.ances were given of men at the top of the ti'ee with 20 yea-rs' service getting 17s 6d per day. A carpenter could easily get £1 per day and only serve five years at his trade. A great deal was being made of the cost of living, but vliat they wanted was a wage consistent. with that paid in other part» of the world. Two drivers had left the service last month in Invercargill, and during the pa,st 3 months no less than 8 or ten had left in Dunedin. There was considerable difficulty in getting clea,ners, and this was conclusive that things were not right. The Arbitrat-ion Court had laia it down that any industry should pay wages consistent with a good standard of co-m-fort and this should applyto the scrivce.