PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9292, 29 April 1920, Page 5

PROSPECTS OF SETTLEMENT.

MEDIATORS ACTIVE

WELLINGTON, April 29,

Mr Massey is expected to arrive tonight, and it is unlikely that anything definite will occur till he comes.

Mr M. Carr, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, interviewed the E..F.C. Association's leaders, and suggested that the dispute should be referred to a committee^ of business men selected 'by the .Railway Department and the men, and the strike be called off meanwhile. The proposal was discussed at some length, hut ultimately the men's representatives said that they must meet Mr Massey before anything definite was done. Questions of superannuation, victimisation, etc., have to be settled, but the men would be pleased if Mr Carr would fieo. the Premier and advise him to bring about a sneedy settlement. The P.P.A. Executive has appealed to the men, deprecating the strike and

urging them to declare it off until the Prince's, tour is finished, otherwise they will alienate the sympathy that would be felt for them. In reply to Mr McArley's .statement that the Department had refused leave to delegates,o.f v the.-.E.F>C.A. v to visit Wellington, Mr McDonald, Assist-ant-General Manager, says that the request was for 10 drivers and firemen to attend an urgent meeting, but no /statement was given of the nature of the business. The v association was informed that so many men could not be released without much inconvenience, but the Department would give leave after the departure of the Prince.

Mr McDonald adds that all the engineriien are already working overtime, and to release 10 more would have thrown an additional burden on the remainderl