WHAT ENGINEMEN ASK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 183, 29 April 1920, Page 6

WHAT ENGINEMEN ASK

IMPROVEMENT OP STATUS not a cost question The following statement as to the demands of tho enginemen was made by tho secretary of their union (Mr. W. M'Arley) yesterday. He said: Wo want the standard paid to locomotive men in the Englishspeaking world. We also want vastly improved conditions, and those conditions must be in black and white, written in plain language, and duly signed up by both sides. Mr. M'Arley said further that in the past the association had not been nblo to hold the Department to anything. Now it was going to be more careful. Tho fact at present is that drivers, by working a great deal of overtime, aro able to earn much more than what is commonly called a living wage. They do not want to go on working the present very hard hours, and they want an improvement in status, not only as compared with other branches of work outside of the service, but as compared with other ratings in the service. Roughly speaking, the claim of tho locomotive men is that a first-class enginedrivcr ought to be worth, double as much as tho unskilled worker who can earn no more than the basic wage, but they would probably be prepared to settle this dispute for less than double jhe basic wage in Now Zealand. The iact that men can obtain more money for their work outside of the service than they have been able to get in the service has led to heavy and the resignations of drivers has been a sourco of gravo difficulty in the maintenance of the running. Services Jiavo .been maintained only by asking men to work very long hours. These are facts in experience. Nine drivers have left Thorndon within the past few weeksgone out of tlife Department—and even before they left the shortage of men was sufficient to cause anxiety. _ Tho same drift from the service is to be observed in other branches. In the Petone workshops, for instance, there are now 43 fitters, whereas formerly there used to be about 120. It is impossible to do the work with_ 43 men, especially as tho men remaining tire discontented. Befora the strike occurred a _ crisis was rapidly approaching, both in the running branch and in the shops.

FIRST . DIVISION MEN , UNWILLING TO BREAK STRIKE. Such trains as have ken run have been manned by -locomotive foremen or by men of the First Division of the service who had in their earlier years as railwaymen been locomotive men. A statement as to the attitude of the First Division society, tho Railway Officers' Institute, was made by tho secretary of the society yesterday. "I cannot say offhand," said Mr. Dennehy, "whether all tho nion who have provided engine crews are members of the institute. I .know they are all First Division men, npd I know that some of them are members of the R. 0.1. Regarding the action of thoso men who do not belong to the institute I have no comment to make. The rules providing for performance of duties in another grade are very wide, and of those men who volunteer at this crisis to do Second Division duties I have nothing to eay. However, the information I havo received leads me to believe that members of the institute who are working on the engines did not volunteer. Tho attitude of the institute, is quite plain. Months ago we considered such a contingency as has arisen, and in accordance with the decision then arrived at, the general secretary at Dunedin. yesterday telegraphed to the Minister of Railways as follows:— I urgently request that no member of the Railway Officers' Institute be called upon to perform Second Division duties during the present crisis. The institute is no party to the dispute, and for the future welfare of the Railway Department it is most advisable that our membcra should not he brought into conflict with members of the Second Division.

"The question was also considered fit a meeting of the institute held at Wellington on Monday night, and the following motion was carried after a very full discussion

That the executive ho communicated with asking it to immediately securo an assurance from the management that in the event of trouble First Division members will not be compelled fo undertake other than thoir own duties. "It is stated in the telegram to tho Prime Minister that we aTe no party to the dispute. It must be _ remembered, however, that we have a dispute of our own. Tlie 8.0.1, has formulated requests, and these have been placed before tho Department. These concern salaries, hours of duty, and payment for overtime, among other things.- \\ e intend to press our claims." It is stated that those members of the First Division who have manned trains for the services run yesterday have done 80 under pressure" from tho Department, and that some of those refused duty and •were threatened with disciplinary action bv the Department. The suggestion nf the secretary is that the institute will stand by any of its members who may he so treated.

ALL AUCKLAND LOCO. MEN OUT A PEW SUBURBAN TRAINS RUN. Auckland, April 28. All members of the locomotive branch of. the railway have ceased work, and the railways of Auckland province are practically at a standstill. A few sub--urban trains were run to-day, but these were quite unable to cope with passengers who work in tho city. . In view oi tho very grave effects ol tho strike upon tho industries ol the city, the Mayor has been asked to call a meeting of the business community to discuss the situation. _ In the meantime however, he is in communication with the Prime Minister with a vli"* to ascertaining the position as regards tho pay of tho railwaymen and the offers of the Government. I t Tlio Auckland Provincial Farmers Union is also communicating with Mr. Massey and the Locomotive Association with reference to the menace to food supplies as a result of the holding-up of primary products. 'The tramway and. electrical services are already threatened through lack of coal. No goods traffic is being accepted for the few trains which aro running.

AT PALMERSTON. (Boocial Correspondent.) Palmerston North, April 28. All work by the engineers and liremen ceased at midnight last night, and there was a little whistling when the Inst engine was stalled. This morning the members of the A.S.R.S. and those of the First Division were all in their places, but the only work was the unloading of a fow trucks of live stock, and as there were,no engines available tlio shunting had to be done by hand, nbout a dozen men pushing each truck. The Auckland express went through as usual at about 3.30 a.m., but the train which left Auckland hist night was over two hours late in passing through Palmerston North. , Tho railway yards are chock full ol rolling stock, many long trains of goods i>eing amongst them.

POSITION AT MASTERTON. By TelcErapli—Sppcial Correspondent. Masterton, April 28. About 50 men on the staff of the Masterton railway station have been afTccted by tho turn affairs lrnvo taken. Pickets have )>een set lo watch tho sheds in the interests of tho E.F.C.A. On the completion of duties last night all the engine-, were placcd in the engine shed and tho fires drawn. Every I bine has been orderly. Locnl supplies or foodstuffs are sufficient for the timo being, but a prolongation of the dispute will have a, serious effect, especially as regards supplies of sugar, bonzine and oement. Coal is the only commodity

causing veal concern. The Waingawa meat works have sufficient in hand for immediate requirements, and a further consignment awaits delivery at the Mastertci station, but the difficulty to bo overcome is that of transporting it to the works. Tho company owns an ensine, but the driver is a member of tho E.F.CX and his services cannot bp requisitioned. The local gas works rro in a serious position, there being only n .three days' supply of ccal in stock. Certain restrictions will be imposed on the use of gas for lighting and cooking, commencing to-day. In responso to an appeal to the Prime Minister by tho Mayor (Mr. It. Jackson) for the. loan of a hundred tons of railway coal lying in the yards, the gas works lias been allotted'3s tons, equal to a few days' supply.

THE THORNDON MEN STRIKE RESOLUTIONS. A meeting of the Thorndon branch of the A.R.R.S. was held last night, at which, the following resolutions were carried "Wo, the members of tho Thorndon branch, view with disgust tho public criticisms of the Prime Minister levelled at the locomotive men and their efforts to obtain a betterment of their conditions. We do not forget that Mr. Massey at the time was and is wallowing in the very best of food that this country can produce, authorising- enormous expenditure on the Roval visit, while, on the other hand, he is denying- a body of men who have proved their loyalty 111 the past a dccent living wage/'

"We, the members of the Thorndon branch of the A.S.R.S., congratulate our comrades in the locomotive department for the courageous stand they have taken in endeavouring to obtain a decent iiv,ing wage, and desire to extend to them our wholehearted sunport. The cap-in-Jiaiul procession which has been the feature of railway unions' methods of obtaining redress for our grievances has ended, and wo look forward to the future, when this iiglit is brought to a. successful issue, when all workers in the Dominion will combine to protcet their economic interests. We are prepared and willing to sacrifice our recently muchTaunted privileges in order to ensure a complete victory."

IN A PRETTY PREDICAMENT THE 8000 VISITORS TO ROTORUA. By TeleEranli—Prc«s Association Rotorua, April 28. The news of the railway strike caused consternation among visitors gathered for tho Roval celebrations in Rotorua. To the 2000 Europeans concerned, as well as to the (HWO Natives] concentrated in the camp 011 tho racecourse at Aroha Park, it presaged immediate difficulties. Many had come with just sufficient funds to •carry them over the holiday, and the prospect of a prolonged stav meant the dispatch o£ urgent telegraphic appeals to their homes for money. Hundreds beseiged the railway station during tho morning to glean whatever information was available as to possible train movements, but the stationmaster was unablo to do more tlnin refer them to the notico posted up that "All goods, parcels, live stock, and milk traffic is suspended till further notice."

THAT CONFERENCE DEPARTMENT'S EXPLANATION. A statement has been made by Mr. M'Arley, secretary of the Engine Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association, to the effect that the Department had refused enable tho delegates of the association to como to Wellington to consider the position. Last evoninir Mr, J. MncDnnald, Assistant. General Manager, replied in the following terms:—"The statement i 6 not quite within the facts. The request made to tho Department was for leave for ten delegates, all of them drivers and firemen, to be in attendance at an urgent mooting: of tho association. No statement was mado as to the nature of the business, to be transacted. The association was informed that so many men could not be released nt the present time without very considerable inconvenience, but that the Department would 'ho glad to arrange for the attendance of tho men at the conference on a date nfter the departure of tho Prince of Wales from the Dominion."

Mr MacDonakl added that the business of tlie Department at the present time was yery lieavy.and had been increased by the 'preliminary and other arrangemcnts rondo in connection "with tho Prince's visit. "All engine men throughout almost the whole of the Dominion are working overtime, and to release so many as ten men would have thrown an additional bunV-n nn the remainder, concluded Mr. MaeDonald.

A CHRISTCHURCK MESSAGE' "TOO FEW MEN TO: MAINTAIN FULL -SET!-VICES." By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch; April 28. "Until we know what is going to happen in. the South Island, we cannot attempt to draw up an emergency timetable," said the District Traffic Manager to-duy. "If the men here do go out, of course we will do our best. I think wo will be able to keep a few trains running on the more important suburban lines, including Lyttelton. But all that depends on the number of men who will remain loyal. At present I have no information whatever on that point." A reporter was informed that even without a strike a severe curtailment of tho existing services was bound to coino in Canterbury. It was stated that in tho Christchurch _ yard alone, the number of shunters is 14 or 15 below normal, and that in Lyttelton all shunting lias been done for weeks by porters. TRAINS THA~T~RAN AS USUAL GISI3ORNE MEN "NOT ADVISED REGARDING STRIKE. fly Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, April 28. Tho trains on the G'sborne northward railway ran as usual this morning, tho local staff having received no advice regarding tho strike. NO DEVELOPMENTS IN DUNEDIN. By Telegraph.—Press Association Dunedin, April 28. News of the railway strike comes as a great surprise here. There have been no developments i.ll Dunedin, and trains are running as usual. Two local members of the executive of tho A.S.R.S. left for Wellington to-day in response to a call from the society. MINES CLOSED DOWN AUCKLAND LOSES 020 TONS OF COAL A DAY. By Tolcgraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 28. As the result of tho railway strike, tho Taupiri mines and the Pukemiro collieries, which are dependent on trucks for tile transport of coal, closod down to-day. This 1 means that;' Auckland from these mines alone will lose G2O tons of coal a day. Stocks in Auckland are very short.

MINERS' STOP-WORK MEETING By Tslcsrranli—Press Association. Greymouth, April 28. There is great interest here in the railway strike. A large stop-work meeting of State coal miners was held this morning. After an address by the president (Mr. P. C. IVebb) the meeting passed the following resolution with cheers:—"That tliis sto]Mvork meeting of State miners endorse the action of tho New Zealand Locomotive Drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners' Association in striking for increased wages and more humane conditions of employment, and wo pledge ourselves to support them, both morally and financially, reeognisini! Hint their fight is our light, that their victory will bo our victnrv, whilst their defeat would be the defeat of tho workors throughout the country." It was resolved to have the terms of tho resolution telegraphed' to the secretary of Hi" {pro. men's society (Mr. M'Arlev). fv-ry of tho Miners' Federation (itr. - .iicklc). and the Minister of Railways (Mr. Massey). Tho Westlnnd Timber Workers' Union executive at a meeting to-day passed a resolution similar to that of the coal minors, upholding tho action of the rnilwaymeu and pledging moral and financial support to the executive. Tho meeting also directed the secretary to telegraph Mr. Massey as follows:— At a special

meeting of our executive to-day I was instructed to wire you that tho Westland Timber Workers' Union supports the railwaymen in their just demands, and culls upon Cabinet to grant the same tc pave a New Zealand-wide industrial uplieaviii, or otherwise to eali Parliament together at onco and give tho Houso 01 Representatives a chance of settling the dispute."

POSITION AT ROTORUA FEAR OP A FOOD SHORTAGE. By Telccraoli-Prcss Association.' Rotorua, April 28. Tho railway position is uppermost in tho public mind to-night, and its effect 011 the Royal visit is the subject of much conjecture. Ministers had ft long conference this evening, and discussed the situation with the Governor-General at a meeting at which the General Manager of Railways was present. The result was not disclosed.

It is understood that there is 110 likelihood of the Prince and party's transport over the railways being interrupted, but as the matter is one of such national importance it may be necessary to go back to Auckland, whence tho party will proceed to Wellington in the Renown and resume the programme from that point. Residents of Rotorua arc becoming apprehensive concerning food supplies. The Chamber of Commerce to-nirjit wailed on Ministers with a suggestion that some form of rationing be instituted. The president, Mr. M'lean, pointed out that the normal imputation at this time of the year was throe thousand, but it was now swelled to between ten and twelve thousand, including Maoris, and the outlook was really serious. They feared that when the shops opened to-morrow there would bo a rush, and that the available stocks would be snapped 1111. to the disadvantage of many people. The Ministers promised to assist in any way possible. A train conveying 300 seamen and marines from tl'9 Renown, with the ship's band, left at 11.20 to-night for Auckland, the locomotive men having agreed to take these through.

THE ROYAL PARTY. By Telegraph—Presß Aa«Miatlon. Rotorua, April 28. At midnight it was announced that arrangements wero being made to carry tho Royal party back to Auckland tomorrow, but Ministers are reticent as to further movements, evidently hoping it possible that Mr. Massey, on reaching Wellington to-morrow, will be ablo to arrive nt a settlement with the railwaymen. That would permit _ tho North Island programme to bo carried out, as originally planned, though of course there may be a delay of a day or so. This, however, depends; 011 the result of tho negotiations. It is expected that thero will not he any difficulty on the run to Auckland, -which is tho homo town of the train men hero, who naturally aro anxious to get back. The difficultly aro increased by tho fact that tho Amalgamated Sociely of Railway Servants luive joined the locomotive men on strike, but tho authorities aro still hopeful.

Tile secretary of tho locomotive men's associat : on (Mr. M'Arley) stilted yesterday that tho crews of the Eoynl trains intended in complete their iron nt Tamnnrumii. They would run tho trains to that station from Rotorua and would then join in the general stoppage. The locomotive staff at Tnumarunui had already ceased work. "Wo have not been approached in any way regarding the running of the Royal tra'iis," said Mr. M'Arley. "Wo have stated already that any proposal made by tho Government will be considered."

INDIGNANTLY DENIED CHARGE OP TAMPERING WITH AN ENGINE. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 28. The railwaymen express the utmost indignation at tho report from Kotorua that a firebox on the engine of tho Gov-ernor-General's train was tampered with. This engine is now in an Auckland shed ready to run. What happened was tho falling down of a defective fire bar. The engine had been inspected, 'and Hhe man responsible would not bo a man concerned in tho strike, and the defect could easily have gone unnoticed. "GIVING THE DEPARTMENT A LESSON'

By Telegranh—Press Association

Hamilton, April 28. Mr. A. E. Deny, councillor for Fiankton district, E.F.C.A., intorviev>'c;l, said: "Every man in flic Frankton district is out. One train was allowed to depart with slock this morning l for Auckland. The position is: We have broken bounds and taken control, and our exccutivo council will have to see us through. The executive lias been holding the men in check since November, 1918. l'lio work ibas been getting heavier, the hours longer. Jleu wore repeatedly ou duty for 20 hours. No provision iruo mauo for meals. We cannot tolerate this longer. The position is unbearaablo, and the breaking point lias been reached. We recognise how serious the situation is from the public point of view, and are not asking support from any other organisation. All we want from the public is to 6ee that we get a fair go. Tuo strike will be conducted in an orderly manner, and whether wo win or lose wo will have at least taught the Department that in future fights for our rights mere argument on their aide will not suffice."

THE WELFARE LEAGUE SUGGESTION FROM DUNEDIN BRANCH. By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, April 28. The Dunedin brauch of the Welfare League, has sent a telegram to tho National Executive, supporting the headquarters of the league in the representations made to both parties. It suggests that the Prime Minister should be asked to undertake that a conference will bo set up to deal with the matter simultaneously with the men returning to duty.

CARRIAGE OF MAILS STEAMER SERVICES. A conference took place yesterday morning between Mr. W. R. Morris, Secretary of the Post Office, nnd Mr. Charles' Holdsworth, managing director of the Union Steam Ship Company, and an undertaking was given by the latter gentleman that tJie Arahura would be put on to rim between Wellington and Onehunga. The vcfisol will leavo each port twice a week, nnd will carry both mails and pnssengcra. She' has accommodation for 200 passengers. The service will be inaugurated early next week. During the coal shortage the Union Company ran a steamer between Wellington and Onehunra, an excellent service being maintained.

SEA RAVE A RUSH FOR ISERTHS. Owing to the stoppage of rail travel people with urgent business to attend to in other parts ot the country are inouiring for passages by sea, nud the shipping companies liuve had many applications for berths. Some ships have sailed carrying more than their usual number of' passengers, and it is understood that the Unitn Company is limkftig - arrangements for tho sea carriage of more passeiiKcrs to east and .west const ports. in hasteWdepart EXODUS OP VISITORS FROM AUCKLAND. By Telegrapl)—Press Association. Auckland, April 2S. Tho Auckland Railway Station was tho sccno of great activity prior to the departure of the Main Trunk express last evening. News of the impending railway strike apparently forced visitors to curtail their stay in Auckland, and there was a rush for seats. About 200 peonlo had collected half-an-hour before the time fixed for the express to loavo. Ityoso who had token precaution to reserve seats were admitted to the platform at mice, but the others had to wait. Some of tho latter climbed a feneo at. tho end of the platform and succeeded in reaching the train. Eventually all passengers wore admitted. The Railway Department

provided nine carriages at the commencement, four first-closs, four second-class, and one composite, but owing to the insli three extra second-class carriages had to bo added, and this accommodation was quickly taken, There were no sleeping carriages attached to tho train. In all, there were about G7O passengers. Owing to the heavy traffic, tho train did not leave till 7.25 p.m.,. fifteen minutes behind schedulo time. On inquiry being made at'the ticket office, it was stated that tickets were issued to all who applied. If the strike is prolonged there will be serious .results in Auckland. Tho city tramways, eleo\ric light and power, and also tho gas supply depend 011 coal arrivals largely Ijy train, and stocks are very low. A few trains are running on the suburban lines to-day, it i 9 stated by Departmental foremen.

INDUSTRIES AFFECTED

THE FREEZING WORKS. | It will bo but a very short time before many trades in the town and country will bo afiectcd if the strike continues. Ono of the first of tho industries which must suffer is the freezing business. Most of the works depend 011 tho railways to bring stock in for slaughtering, and tho country works depend on the railways for the carriage of their meat to the seaboard. These country works cannot carry on at all, as it is understood that already, most of their stores are full of meat, or nearly so. Some of the woTks may soon be in sore straits for lack of coal, but thi.s may be got over by road transport. The works at ports may be able to got meat to tho wharves, but this will 1)0 no easy matter, for they have no suitable vehicles for tho carriage of frozen meat, All the meat ordinarily goes to the ship's side in railway trucks. It happens that the freezing season is nearly ended, so that the position is not nearly so serious as it would liavo been three months ago. The lack of transport will, mean that some of tho hands will have to be nut off. The companies will have to retain 011 duty sufficient men to keep the freezing plants working, and a few general hands to do other work from day to day, but in those works where any considerable staff has been held up till now, it will not be possible to retain them for muon longer. It happens that tho farmers will not be serious losers by tho stoppage of export freezing, because the season has been a very abundant one for grass and most of them should be able to carry over any stock on hand. Stock for the supply of fresh meat to the city has also to travel by rail, and as 110 more can be obtained in this Way tho hands at tho abattoir will have no work to do. Tho number of meil affected will be about 20. The people of Wellington w ; ll have to draw their meat from the freezing stores, and tbcro is plenty of meat available from this source. The butchers have drawn meat from the 'stores on many occasions previously, and it will not cause dislocation of tho trade if they have to do so again. The building, trade is another essential industry at present, but. already it is hampered by shortage of timber. It is estimated that in a fortnight all supplies will be exhausted, and unless the strike is settled in that time there\wiU Iw no work for the carpenters now employed. j

P.P.A. APPEAL TO THE STRIKERS Tho Dominion Executive of tho Protestant Political Association has addressed tho following appeal to the members of the Enginedrivers, Firemens, and Cleaners' Association through tho secretary The Protestant Political Association, whilst in full sympathy with the members of the E.F.C. Association in their demand for equitable conditions of service and rates of pay, regrets that sonic branches have undertaken to bring their demands to an issuo with the Railway Department by 'direct action' rather than by constitutional and conciliatory methods, even though' there may have been inexcusable and irritating delay on the part of the Government and the Department in dealing with tho demands. That the time and occasion of the visit of H.R-.H. the Prince of Wales should have been chosen for this action is deplorable, thereby disconcerting tho Government and business people and disappointing thousands of citizens, particularly the children, vlio desire to share in the honours and festivities of tho Royal visit. New Zealand has boasted her loyalty and patriotism, and has had ample warrant, but tho precipitate «.nd thoughtless action taken by a section of the E.F.C. A. will sully oiif reputation, refute our boast and afford satisfaction only to those whose loyalty is, to say the least, doubtful. The Dominion Executive of the Protestant Political Association urges tho loyal and patriotic members of tho association to respond to the Prime Minister's appeal to declare the strike off until after tho departure of the Prince from our shores and to revert to constitutional legal methods for tho settlement of their demands and assure? the members of the E.F.C.A. that tho influence of the P.P.A. will be directed to assist them in having their demands promptly and equitably dealt with.

To persist in a line of action at once Uiiconstitntidnal and d'sconcerting to thousands of adults and children will alienate the strong syisnathy and support of the public, injuring both the cause and the reputation of the men responsible, whilst, on tho other hand, prompt and considerate action in annulling the strike will benefit the causo of the'men as greatly as the fair name of New Zealnud.