EMPHATIC DENIAL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 87, 23 January 1942, Page 5

EMPHATIC DENIAL

RUMOUR OF RAILWAY STRIKE.

HOLIDAY TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. An emphatic-denial to reports still persisting that holiday railway travel was restricted because of a threatened strike of employees of the Railways Department was given in an interview yesterday by the Minister for Railways (the Hon. R. Semple). Ho characterised the reports as a cruel slander on a loyal body of men, and added: “We know when these rumours are broadcast that they come from a treacherous few, not the great bulk of the good citizens of New Zealand.” Another report which the Minister also denied was that a shortage of coal stocks was an additional cause of the restrictions.

“To say that a strike was imminent at Christmas is an infamous untruth,” declared Mr Semple. “There is not a vestige of truth in the rumours. The railwaymen have been fighting to get the lower-paid men lifted. The men had a legitimate grievance, and they went the constitutional way about it. Their grievances have been recognised, and they will be rectified. I have never denied recognition of their grievances. When I became Minister for Railways I was approached by the men’s representatives and I frankly confessed that they had a ease and that an adjustment would be made when the finances of the country permitted it. The Prime Minister has made an announcement that the position will be adjusted.” There had not been the faintest sign of a strike. From what lie knew of the railwaymen they would not dream of forcing a general strike on the nation at a critical time in its history. Ninety-nine per cent, of the men working on the railways and in the raihyay workshops were holiest, loyal New' Zealanders, A total of 4000 men were away fighting and the E.P.S. organisations in the workshops were a credit to New- Zealand. At the Hutt and Addington shops men had attended on their days off to give an inspiring demonstration* of E.P.S., and the reception giyen him when he spoke to them on the dangers facing New- Zealand could leave no doubt about their intense loyalty. 1 A more intelligent, sensible, reliable, and loyal body of citizens could not be found anywhere. “The curtailment of traffic was designed to prevent congestion in the cities and on the railway lines,” said Mr Semple. “When the Japanese came into the war we did not know what was going to happen, and w r e don’t know now - . It was estimated that at Christmas time Auckland, for one city, would have a population of 10,000 greater than in ordinary times. The north is the most vulnerable spot for attack. Just imagine what would have aened had an attack come to Auckvw'ith all those visitors there. It would have been one of 'the greatest calamities to overcome any city. If we had allowed that to happen w-e would have deserved court-martialling and shooting.”

“Goal Supplies.”

Another stupid statement which had been circulating was that a shortage of coal was another reason why travel was restricted, the Minister said; Coal was not ill over-supply, but the coal question would not have stopped the Christmas traffic. Jt was certainly true that the Department wanted all the coal it could get; but ample stocks were, available to meet any heavy traffic demands. The stock situation was watched from day to day. If persons thought about their country seriously, Mr Semple said, they would not “circulate disruptive rumours. To brand the men jn the workshops, who were working hard and working long hours, as strike promoters and men guilty of treachery or disloyalty was grossly unfair. The railwaymen were conscious of the danger, and they were doing all they were asked to do, and were prepared to do more. To say those men would swing a strike on .New Zealand was an infamous falsehood and a slander on their loyalty and character. “We had the terrible spectacle of Honolulu, where the people were attacked without notice, and of simultaneous attacks all over the Pacific. We do not know when our turn will come; anybody who knows anything about the international situation realises that. The enemy is at our front gate. Yet when we try to protect the lives and property of the people, innuendoes are cast at us by a few. The holiday travel restrictions were a protective measure, and were not brought about by any threats by the railwaymen. No matter what the disruptive few say, we are going to do the best we can to protect the lives of the people of this country. It is our job and our duty, irrespective of what people might say about us.”