"SECTIONAL SCHEME.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 96, 24 April 1928, Page 8

"SECTIONAL SCHEME.

RAILWAY GUARDS' UNION.

A.S.R.S. SECRETARY

OFFICIAL RECOGNITOR NEEDED.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent)

WELLINGTON, this day.

The general secretary of the Amalga. mated Society of Railway Sen-ants, Jfc L. McHvride, states that the newspaper reports that a Guards' Union has been formed as the result of the ballot of-''-1 guards conducted by the >: V Guards' Club is incorrect. a "The promoters of this sectioMi ' - scheme," said Mr. Mcllvride, 'have to discover whether it is possible form a guards' union, then whether it— will be possible to get official recognition from the Minister and the Ptihrjj Board. They represent a small of the 535 guards on the railway claaojJi. cation list. Apparently only 461 papers were issued. Does this nwcn that they went only to those who Might be" regarded as favourable to the sectional movement? There was no pablie ■ effort by the A.S.R.S. to counteract ; propaganda, nor was there and inde-"W j)endent scrutiny of the ballot papen, yet the promoters have to admit that 245 guards out of their selected list *4 showed indifference or opposition, -jthn '*/ by voting against the proposals or de> clining to return their ballot papers. - This group constitutes a larger onethaa the 216 reported as being in favour of a separate union, and the supporters are actually in a minority of 319 compared with all the guards in the service. "Our society, under such circumstances, would strenuously oppose any endeavour , to disintegrate the railwaymen's ormai-"i sation," said Mr. Mcllvride. ""We hare evidence from many centres, inchalia? - Auckland, that the great majority «f guards are opposed to any new union. and there is very little possibility <315 V success." * . . j i