"NO ANIMOSITY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 64, 16 March 1936, Page 8

"NO ANIMOSITY."

SECTIONS OF RAILWAYMEN

AMALGAMATION POSSIBLE,

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

HAWERA, this dav.

A reference to the friendly spirit that had always existed between members of the Amalgamated Society of RailwayServants and the Enginedrivers', Firemen's and Cleaners' Association was made by Mr. J. Robb at the A.S.R.S.' 50th anniversary social at Hawcra on Saturday night.

Once, he said, the two organisations had been one but a break had occurred and bodies had become separated. There had been considerable feeling at the time, but those days were gone. He thought railwaymen would be better served by an amalgamation. The Labour Government would prefer to deal with a united organisation, rather than several units. A deputation from the E.F.C.A. had waited on the A.S.R.S. at its last conference, but it had been stated that the sincerity of the E.F.C.A. concerning the formation of one union was doubted. A long discussion had not produced any material results.

Stressing the fact that there was no animosity towards the A.S.R.S., Mr. Robb outlined the points of view of both sides in the original argument. "The E.F.C.A. favoured one big union. The door is not closed," he said. '"If you put forward any proposals I can assure you they will be considered fairly. Opposition to an amalgamation is not forthcoming from the E.F.C.A."