LABOUR UPHEAVALS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 54, 4 March 1913, Page 5

LABOUR UPHEAVALS.

MIDLAND RAILWAY TROUBLE.

THE COMPANY EXPLAIN.

A t REJECTED COMMAND.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright) LONDON, March 3. The directors of the Midland Railway Company have made a statement regarding the dismissal of Guard Richardson. It is explained that in January Richardson refused to obey an order to add three wagons to v. train., claiming that it was contrary to the company's printed instructions. The control office told Richardson that the instructions had been altered on November 21, but he still refused to obey the order, and took up an offensive attitude. He told the foreman he cared nothing for him or the people giving Ul2 instructions. He also told the directors that lie would refuse to obey the general manager if the tatter's verbal orders conflicted with the printed instructions. The directors add that the instructions adopted in November in no way contravened the Board of Trade rules. It was obvious that the control system would be brought to a standstill if other employees adopted Richardson's attitude.

Mr. J. Thomas (Labour M.P. for Derby), in speaking it :>. railway men's meeting at Leeds, ncivocatetd a national Strike. They should begin, hp said, without notice in order that the companies should have no time to prepare /or the strike.

The "Citizen" says that the Midland Company's defence is monstrous and immoral.

"Tho directors claim the right to jeopardise life as and when they choose," says the "Citizen." "but he blood of the railway men is up. :.