SEATS BOOKED ON TRAIN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 48, 6 December 1946, Page 2

SEATS BOOKED ON TRAIN

PREFERENCE NOT GIVEN TO UNIONISTS ALLEGATION DENIED BY MINISTER (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 5. When asked to comment on the statement made by the chajrmanof the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board (Mr B. Brigham) that union representatives had received preferential treatment in regard to seating on the AucklandWellingtorn train, the Minister of Railways (the Hon. R. Semple) stated the first he knew of any direction from his office was when he read Mr Brigham’s statement in this morning’s newspaper. “No direction was issued from my office in connection with this matter.” said Mi’ Semple, “nor would any such direction be issued. Once a train is fully booked the only seats available are those which are cancelled by. intending who find for various causes that they are unable to travel. Mr Brigham should make sure of his facts before rushing into print and he should not accept heresay evidence as correct. “I have investigated the position about which Mr Brigham complains and find that the Fire Board’s representative applied for a first-class seat but by the time he called at the booking office all first-class seats op the particular train had been sold. He was advised to take a second-class seat and that there might be some first* class seats available later as the result of cancellation and that he should get in touch with the reserved seats officer at the Auckland station in this connection on the day of travel. This he did not do. Consequently he has only himself to blame if he did not take advantage of the advice tendered to him. Contrary to Fact “The four union delegates applied for seats at a time when all accommodation had been booked. They were advised in a similar way to make a later application to obtain the benefit of any cancellations which might be received. This they did and were . able to obtain four first-class seats. The statement that the Minister’s, officer had instructed that four first-class seats should be. reserved for union, members is contrary to fact. “It is regrettable that Mr Brigham did not make a few inquiries from the Department before making such a misleading incorrect statement as that which appeared in the Press Association message from Auckland. The message to which Mr Semple referred said: “Four union representatives travelling to the recent Fire Boards’ Association conference at Wellington were able to obtain first-class seats in the train, while the Auckland Metropolitan Fire Board’s representative had to travel second class, according to information before the Auckland Fire Board this morning. It was reported that the Minister’s office instructed that four first-class seats be reserved for the unibn members, but the board’s representative was unable to obtain a reservation al- » though an application on his behalf * was made before the union members obtained seats. “If that is democracy, I don’t, know the meaning of the word,” said the chairman (Mr B. Brigham).