THE RAILWAY STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 179, 23 April 1924, Page 7

THE RAILWAY STRIKE

PRIME MINISTER’S APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY “UNWISE AND PRECIPITATE ACTION OF MEN’S LEADERS” POSITION LOCALLY AND IN OTHER CENTRES There was rittle of interest locally in the strike situation yesterday. The suburban residents, although they suffered considerable inconvenience in making hurried arrangements, were well catered for in the matter of motor services, which rose to the occasion nobly, being arranged not only for the immediate suburbs, but for Wairarapa, Palmerston North, and even as far as Wanganui, all the buses being filled in a few minutes after their signs were hoisted. Developments elsewhere were of more interest. Services were being carried on between Christchurch and Dunedin and vice versa yesterday, local morning trains were running from Christchurch to Methven, Springfield, Whitecliff, Oxford, Southbridge, and Little River. The services on the Lyttelton section, including the ferry trains, were also being run. These services may cease to-day, the District Traffic Manager at Christchurch being reported as stating that he understood that the signalmen who had stuck to the Department until yesterday had been intimidated info joining the strike. A skeleton service was run yesterday in several North Island districts. The engine-drivers, firemen and cleaners have refused emphatically to be forced into participation in the strike. AN APPEAL TO THE COUNTRY; BY THE PRIME MINISTER “CONSTITUTIONAL METHODS OR DIRECT ACTION” The following appeal to the people of the Dominion was by Prime Minister (Right Hon. W. F. Massey) yesterday In connection with the present trouble, I desire to remind the citizens of the Dominion that the Government have used all reaso settle tha difficulty which has new been forced upon us. 1 The Government set up a Wages Board representative of the A.S.R.S. on one side, and on the other of the Railway management, with an impartial chairman agreed to by both sides. The A.S.R.S. burst that board up after it had been sitting for several days. 2 . The executive of the A.S.R.S. issued strike notices before half the evidence had been heard with regard to the clams which they had put forward. 3. They refused to accept the Court of Arbitration and Conciliation, which has long been iooked upon as the const, tutional method of settling disputes. 4. When arranging details for another board, which at their own request was intended to be sot up, they suddenly broke rtf negotiations and announced that unless the Government at once increased their wages all trains would stop at midnight on Monday, April 21. 5 They chose as the time for striking the dates arranged tor the -celebrations to welcome the British fleet thus seriously interfering with a great occasion, and diSa P^' ntlng 'J" 8 "/ thousands of citizens, especially school children who had in tended to be present. Bv the strike being declared it has now become a question whether this country is to be governed by constitutional methods or by d.rect action. I ■»« n. W influon.es Wind them »hkb d. no< .PP«r on the surface. (Signed) W. F. MASSEY, prime Minister.

THE A.S.R.S. FURTHER STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT REPLY TO MR. MASSEY Jlr M. Connelly, president A.S.R.S-, made the following remarks in reply to Mr. Massey’s statement of yesterJ T The society made a claim for an increase in wages in l9-3, nearly 15 months ago. I ho Government refused this. 2. The society again petitioned the Government in August of last year for an increase in pay- this also was refused. , . 3. The society also approached the Minister of Railways in November for an increase of wages. This was again refused. . , 4 'Hie society once more approached the" Minister in February, 1924, and made the same request for increased pay as had been done previously. Ibis was again refused. The Minister promised, however to make a straigntout proposal on wages when he returned from the south. This proposal has never vet been made. 5. The society went before the Wages Board and finding that no results were forthcoming on the wage question offered to withdraw all claims unreservediv to get a decision on wages. The chairman declined to accept this. 6. When the chairman presented nis interim report after eight days’ discussion on the wage question and no recommendation for an increase of wages was forthcoming, the society offered to recede from the demand, of 2s- 6d. per day in order to bring about a settlement. Tire Depart-

ment’s representatives ignored this <rfe? The. Government offered Mr. Barton S.M., as chairman for previous board, but declined the request of the society to allow him to r,reside over the proposed new tribunal. 8 The Government gave its one reason' whv Mr. Barton could not be appointed that he was presiding over a commission in Auckland, but offered us Judge Sim, who was presiding over the Taxation Commission sitting in "Wellington. The said commission is considered bv the Prime Minister to be of the utmost importance to the people of the Dominion. 9 Tho Government knew that the society had refused a Supreme Court Judge for a previous board, but it now. insisted on a judge for the proposed new tribunal. . I notice that the Prime Minister has displayed great anxiety lest the school children should not be allowed to see the fleet. One cannot help contracting Mr. Massey’s anxiety over tms matter to his determined opposition to the request of the society to give the fathers of these same school children a living wage in order to feed and ncurislT the little ones. .if he is genuine in his desire there is yet time to negotiate a reasonable settlement which will enable this to be done. LIBERAL PARTY’S VIEWS MR. T. M. WILFORD*S STATEMENT The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. T. M. Milford) made the following statement yesterday of the attitude of the Literal Party:— “The history of the whole ire rid shows that tho initiation of industrial

strife.” said Mr. Wilford, “is no monopoly of any one side, though in every strike the public is the 'casualty’ each time. Our party has kept out of print during negotiations though our executive met and considered the position soon after the deadlock on the 10th, on which date I received. a telegram from the A.S.R.S. j ‘suggesting some action on my part. Since the 10th I have been in close touch with railwaymen in my constituency, and in other constituencies, with the result that on Good Friday I interviewed Sir Francis Bell and discussed with him the position and attitude of our party at length, and then discussed the whole matter with the president and secretary of the A.S.R.S. Prior to this date, at the invitation of the secretary of the P. and T. executive. who had wired me asking for my help, I waited on the executive of the P. and T. and explained the attitude of our executive in regard to their trouble with the Government I believed up to yesterday that my efforts had not been fruitless, and regret that the strike is with us. for the aftermath of every industrial upheaval is resentment, ill-will, and bit“As to the attitude of our party, in reference to some of the outstanding matters of the dispute, I will state it here: We stand in favour of a 44hour week, particularly in the case of railwaymen, whose hours are often irregular, and whose responsioihties are very and having with my party voted against a reduction of salaries of those .in the Publioe service receiving £320. a year and under. I unhesitatingly support that vote by backing the restoration, as, in our opinion, no one receiving a salary of £320 a year TP f under should have been penalised. The view has been strengthened since the 'cut.’ as the Government has been able to make big reductions in taxation, I do not wish to go into the cost of living question further than to say that I believe when the increased cost of rent and clothing is calculated today in connection with the all food groups,’ it will be found that the difference is nearer 70 per cent, than 60 per cent, pre-war. Our party does not support the strike method, as I have made plain to Sir Francis Bell, th© executive of the P. and T., and the president and secretary of the A.S.R.S. . , ... “The Prime Minister’s, manifesto this morning carries no weight at all. I have the right lion, gentleman s speeches since his return from England, and I find that when he wishes to advocate reduction of taxation he tells us that everything is weJl with the country, and when he faces the question of increased wages to those who have a desperate struggle to make ends meet, he predicts disaster. “Fresh efforts must be at once made by the Government and the executive of the A.S.R.S. to remove the present impasse and those who conduct the negotiations should be men of conciliation and not men who are e irritated when a conflict of m arises.” OSS MEETING AT PETONE A mass meeting of employees of Petone railway workshops was held at the Petone railway station at 7.45 o’clock yesterday morning. All the people who usually proceed to the city about this hour by train joined the throng, while waiting for motor transport to town, and there were upwards of 300 people present when Mr. J. L. Churchouse, of Carterton, a member of the executive of the A.S.R.S., addressed the Petone railway workshops employees. Mr. Churchouse explained the negotiations which had led up to the A.S.R.S. taking the final step in order to obtain what they considered to be their just demands. In the course of his remarks, the speaker stated that ,as the strike widened out the locomotive men would almost certainly become involved, as they were in identically the same position as the A.S.R.S. with regard to the 44hour week question. LOCOMOTIVE MEN “NOT TO BE BLUDGEONED” Mr. MoArley, secretary of the En-gine-drivers, Firemen and Cleaners Union, left for Australia last week, but expressed the opinion before his departure that the members of his union would do their duty, no more and no less. Supplementary to this the secretary of Palmerston branch of this union (Mr. J. Hamilton), stated on Monday night that their members were firm in their original resolution to remain aloof from participation in the strike, and would simply report for duty and, as instructed by the . general secretary would proceed with their schedule duties. Anything to the contrary was the individual expression of an opinion and not the official stand of the association. A member of the A.S.R.S. Executive, in the course of an address to railwaymen at Petone, yesterday, is reported to have stated that the members of the Engine-drivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association would soon be with them, and if they did rot come in by their heads they would be dragged jin by th'eijr (shoulders. Mr. R. Carroll, president and actingsecretary of the E.F.C.A., replied:— “If the insinuation is that the A.S.R.S. thinks it is going to wreck our association by such methods, I have yet to learn that they are likely to bludgeon us into any action we do not approve of.” STRIKERS AND NON-STRIKERS The railwaymen in. the second division who are participating in the strike, and those who are not, are as follow:— Strikers. —Porters, shunters, guards, signalmen, train examiners, storemen, shedhands, apprentices, platelayers, gangers, carpenters, blacksmiths, fitters,, bricklayers, electricians, nightwatchmen, bridge and crossing keepers. Non-participants.— Enginedrivers, .firemen, cleaners, clerks, stationmasters, goods and coaching foremen. THE MEN BEHIND THE GUN The following are the members of the executive of the A.5.R.5.,. who are managing the strike: —President, Mr. M. Connelly; vice-president, Mr. J. ChuTchouhe<: Messrs. T. Stanley (Auckland), J. Elliott (Auckland). J. H. Taylor (Wellington), M. O’Connor (Christchurch), T. C. Watson (Timaru). A. Morison (Dunedin). Mr. T. C. McLennan (Dunedin) is. also on the executive, but is in hospital at Wellington at present. The secretary is ■fr. M. J. Mack. Ono of the chief anxieties in the trike situation is.the position of the freezing works, which cannot get their supplies to the ports.. and the quesiion of the coal supplies at the centres. The former question loses much of its importance by the fact that the season is so far advanced that nearly the whole of the season’s killing has already gone forward, while, as far as ’Wellington is concerned, the- coal supplies are ample, with the exception, perhaps, of soft coal for gas-making purposes, which, in the event of a lengthy strike, cannot be imported of the requisite quality,

THE MOTOR SERVICES CARS REAPING RICH HARVEST POSSIBLE TO GET THROUGH TO AUCKLAND Motor transport came into its own yesterday morning. With no trains running, people in the suburbs had to rely entirely upon charabancs and cars. All manner of transport was brought into requisition. Cars were to be seen vesterday traversing the city streets heavily loaded with passengers and luggage. The occupants, it was evident, were holiday-makers who had failed to catch the last train to the city on Monday night. One firm is maintaining motor services from Wellington to New Plymouth and Napier. Cars leave Wellington each morning at 8 o’clock, arriving at Palmerston North at 12.30. A car leaves Palmerston North at 1.30 pm. daily for Wellington, reaching the city at 6 o’clock. Napier is readied daily from "Wellington at 6.30 p.m. On the' West Coast run, the cars arrive at "Wanganui daily at 3.15 p.m., and arrive at New Plymouth at 7.40 p.m. This firm has five big cars, each crpable of carrying eight passengers, and is also arranging for an afternoon service from "Wellington to Palmerston North, leaving ‘the city daily at 3.30 p.m. The company is also endeavouring to connect up the through service between Wellington and Auckland by linking up from New Plymouth to Auckland, via Te Kuiti and Frankton Junction. A service from Napier connects up with Taupo, Rotorua, and Gisborne. A local company dispatched a charabanc to Palmerston North at 11 o’clock yesterday morning. This car, which was well patronised, will return to Wellington to-day. A reporter was informed that this was an experimental trip, and probably the company concerned would utilise their fleet of cars in maintaining communication between Wellington and the suburbs. The residents of Petone, Lower Hutt, and even up. to Masterton have to welcome a service of cars- A fleet of charabancs maintained a service between the city and Lower Hutt yesterday, running at frequent intervals, and a daily service was established with Masterton. Even motor-lorries wore pressed into service yesterday to cope with the traffic to the suburbs. People did •not mind the jolting in the springless vehicles so long as they reached their destinations. CARRIAGE OF MAILS - MOTORS TO THE RESCUE From G.P.O. headquarters it was ascertained vesterday that mails for all pl ail's between "Wellington and ‘New Plymouth, and Wellington and Napier, will close at midnight during the strike in order that they may be dispatched as early as possible in the morning by motor-cars. As steamers are leaving New Plymouth every other day for Onehunga, the service to Auckland will be a thrice-weekly one for the present, but the public are asked to post mail matter as early as possible to facilitate the arrangements. The Department will endeavour to serve every place on the railway line with one mail a day. The other services not on the railway lines will be carried out in all districts by the usual means of transport. Information has been received that the through express to Dunedin left Christchurch yesterday morning a little later than usual. The Otira-West Coast railway service has, however, ceased, and arrangements are being made to deliver mails from Christchurch and other eastern centres to the Coast and vice-versa by other means. Mail matter for the West Coast from the North Island will go forward by steamer from Wellington as occasion serves. TRANSPORT OF FOODSTUFFS PROVISION AGAINST EMERGENCY Consequent upon the railway disorganisation, the question of the distribution of foodstuffs and other necessaries to and from country districts has already engaged the attention of those interested., and a strong committee of local business men has been set up to watch the position so that no unnecessary hardship may he inflicted upon the consuming public. Mr. H. J. Stott nas been appointed secretary to the committee, and will receive any inquiries for requirements; His address is post office box 603, Wellington, telephone 2173. CITY MILK SUPPLY LITTLE ' AFFECTED BY STRIKE A Dominion representative called on the manager of the milk department yesterday morning to learn whether or not the railway strike was embarrassing the department as far as milk supplies from the countiy were concerned. “It does not concern us very much at this time of the year,” said Mr. R. Herron, “as over 90 per cent, of our milk arrives by road at present. There is a small quantity arriving by train from Paraparaumu, on the one side, and we get a little from Kaitoke on the other, but the Dairy Farmers’ Association will no doubt manage to get it in by road. Other than this there is only the week-end cream from Otaki, which we will have to arrange to get in by road.” Mr. Hen-on eaid that it was just as well for the department that the strike is taking place now and not six weeks later, when they.had to get milk supplies from the Wairarapa and other distant points by rail. LOCKED IN I A SIGNALMAN'S PLIGHT Molestation of workers who stick to their guns during a strike is by no means an uncommon occurrence, and an incident which happened yesterday indicates that such tactics are already being exploited in Wellington. The signalman at Thorndon Station, the only man who remained on duty, was the victim. He entered the box as usual, but a few minutes later, suspecting that something was amiss turned to the door. It was locked I He remained a prisoner for two hours before he could get out. The president of the A.S.R.S. is a guard, and the secretary is an exguard. There are about 1200 annual employees on tha railway?,

SHOULD PARLIAMENT MEET ? APPEAL TO NON-LABOUR MEMBERS By Telegraph—l’bess Association. Dunedin, April 22. Mr. H. Holland this morning sent the following telegram on behalf of the Parliamentary Labour Party to all non-Labour members: ‘.‘The party is firmly convinced that, if Parliament had an opportunity of dealing with the matters in dispute a settlement would bt speedily effected. It earnestly invites you to support its request to the Prime Minister that the House be called together immediately.” Sir John Luke replied as under:— “Replying to your telegram, I am not in agreement with the Parliamentary Labaour Party that Parliament should be convened to deal with the dispute in connection with the railway workers. No Government could hold the confidence of the people and would be unworthy to govern if it acceded to the request. Even as a precedent the departure from constitutional .methocis of government would be unwise. Disputes could be engineered and similar demand made, rendering any Government impotent. I regret the happening, and respectfully urge resumption of duties, and Parliament can in due course dispassionately and .equitably deal with the matter.—(Signed) J. P. Luke.” REPLY TO PRIME MINISTER LABOUR M.P.s’ VIEWS Br Tbi.egrafh. —Press Association. Dunedin, April 22. The four Christchurch Labour members of Parliament, Messrs. E. J. Howard, H. T. Armstrong, J. McCombs, and D. G. Sullivan, who ars now in Dunedin, have replied as follows to the Prime Minister’s criticism of their statement on behalf of the railwaymen : — “Your latest reply to ns is a most unconvincing statement. Your quibble about wages and income is only waste of time. The question is, are railwaymen being paid wages or are they receiving an income which enables them and their families to maintain a fair standard of living? The vre-war basic wage of £2 14s. per week, fixed in January, 1912, represented only.abate living wage, and was not sufficient to maintain a fair standard of living. But low as the railwaymen’s basic wage was in 1912, it is 18s- 7d. per week lower to-day than in 1912, measured in purchasing power. You quote the wages paid to locomotive men, engine drivers, firemen, and others, and forget to say that the figures quoted by you are maximum rates paid to those in the first grade. We think the discussion should be confined to the men on basic wage rates, because they have suffered most by the wage cuts and through the increased cost of living and because . in final analysis the basic wage determines all other rates, and should in itself represent a fair standard of livink. But to again prove our point that the men are being paid less than the equivalent of the 1912 or 1914 rates, we are willing to take the figures supplied by y«Ui, but would remind you that the figure which you give for 1913 represent rates of pay which were current in April, 1912. Correcting your statement in this essential particular, the position can bo stated simply thus from 1912 to 1914 the Arbitration Court awarded skilled workers an increase of l|d. per hour. From 1914 the increase is 64 per cent.. Thus, to take the first grade locomotive men on the maximum wages quoted by you, whose wage in 1912 was Is. 81d., to this amount lias to be added lid. to cover the cost of living increase be tween 1912 and 1914, making a total of Is. 9Jd. at July, 1914, and to this again has to be added 64 per cent, representing the presentdav increase in the cost of living. This would entitle first grade men to a wage of 2s. Hid. per hour, because it would require that sum to purchase on the average the goods and services which could have been obtained for Is. BJd. in 1912., or for Is. 92d in 1914- According to your figures ’first grade locomotive men are not receiving 2s. lljd. which they are entitled to in order to enable them to maintain their 1912 standard of living. They -are onlv receiving -s. 7*d an hour, and are therefore short' of the 1912 standard of purchasing power by 3Jd. per hour, or 2s, 6d. per day which is the amount that the A.S.R.S is asking for a basic wage for the men. The firemen are similarly short, and here again you quote the maximum rates for first grade firemen, and if the A.S.R.S. men are defeated, first grade skilled men in the railway service can depend upon it that their wage will continue to be less than the 1912 standard, measured m purchasing power. The figures you quote may seem very convincing until they are analysed, and evidently you feared such an analysis, because you try to brush aside the real test as to whether men on the basic wapo can maintain a fair standard of living, or even their 1912 bare living standard, by stating. “To my mind it no use quibbling over the increase in the cost of living.” This sentence condemns you utterly. It reveals how little importance you attach to workers being .paid a wage that will equal the cost of living. Yet to the worker it is a vital necessity. Your statement shows that you fear a real test. That in fact you knew that your figures were the most favourable that you could quote, and you knew further that they would not stand analysis. You try to beg the. issue by brushing aside proved facts in connection, with the increases in the cost of Jiving, and then state. 4>l spite of proof to the contrary, that public servants are better off than in 1912. All the workers in the Dominion knew that this fight for a fair standard of living and the retention of the 44-hour week is their fight also. They also know that your Government bar no mandate from the people of New Zealand to govtm the people of New Zealand, a majority of Qie people having voted against the Reform Party al the last general election. The people can also see why you refuse to allow the people’s representatives to decide the matter in Parliament. You wish to precipitate an election on the strike issue, and to serve your political party ends you are willing to plunge this country into a disastrous strike, inflicting misery anil suffering on thousands of workers and their families. You know that Parliament could settle the matter, and you stubbornly refuse to allow' Parliament an opportunity ol doing so. The money which you have taken from Civil Servants yon have given to wealthy income-tax payers, and to your wealthy land-owning friends.” Mr. W. H. Bennett. manager of the Watersiders’ Employment , Association. stated vesterday that it was difficult to judge the effect on waterfront workers, as work was extremely slack, while a number of men were away for the Easter holidays. He admitted that iu was early yet to judge what the effect of the strike would be on the workers on the wharves, although, of course, it was impossible to expect cargo to oam®

TEMPORARY SERVICE WITHDRAWN IN CANTERBURY AREA ALLEGED INTIMIDATION OF SIGNALMEN Br Telegraph—Press Christchurch, April 22. Advice was received late to-night that all the arrangements made by the Railway Department for the running of temporary services had been cancelled. The district traffic managger stated that he understood that the signalmen who had stood to the Department until to-day had been intimidated into joining the strike. Owing to the latest development the only train likely to run to-morrow is that which meets the ferry steamer at Lyttelton in the morning, and it is doubtful if even this will run. INCOMPLETE PARALYSIS 'TRAINS RUNNING. IN CANTERBURY Christchurch, April 22. The railway strike was “on” to-day. The paralysis in Canterbury at least was not so complete as the A.S.R.S. had hoped. Trains, though few and far between, were dispatched, and men were found to work them. The Lyttelton line had a fair service. In the signal boxes there were expert hands on the controlling levers. The enginedrivers and firemen were on duty, spending much of their time “resting” in the cabins or watching amusedly the course of events. The regular crossing keepers were absent, ’out when trains went out there was always someone to wave the green flag te warn traffic to “stop and look out for the engine.” The railway yards were quiet, and an air of almost Sabbath calm pervaded the scene. The departing trains were seen out by groups of spectators, but there were no demonstrations, except when the express for Dunedin left on her long journey. The public remained calm and almost apathetic, though inquiries about the extent and probable duration of the strike were frequent. The south express, which usually departs at 8.50 a.m., got away from Christchurch as the clock was striking ten. As it drew out of the station, the passengers and a large crowd on the platform gave vent to their feelings of relief by cheering. The train will go to Dunedin only to-day. A ticket inspector, who is a member of the Railway Officers’ Institute, went as guard of the train, and in addition to the engine crew, a reserve driver, signal inspector and traffic inspector travelled 'fi the cab of the engine, one of w’/'.m carried, the red and green signal A signalman in the Colombo Street box, who had refused to obey orders to go on strike, signalled the train out. The train consisted of eighteen passenger carriages, a luggage van and postal van. All the carriages and platforms were crowded, the number of , passengers being over six hundred, including a number of Territorials and Cadets who had been competing at. the military rifle meeting at Redcliffs. Mr. A. J. McCredie, district railway engineer, was a passenger on the train. Only the apprentices now are working at the Addington Workshops today. . The motor-car companies are making preparations to assist holiday visitors and travellers to reach their homes and destinations. No definite scheme has been formulated as yet for the transportation of passengers by motor-car the proprietors at present being content to meetothe demands made upon them, privately until such time as \*ire information is available regarding the effectiveness of any skeleton service the Railway Department may bo able to maintain. It is understood that there are ample stccks of petrol on hand. TICKET INSPECTORS AS GUARDS. Two ticket inspectors and one traffic inspector, who belong to the first division, are temporarily acting as guards to-day. They are fully competent for this work, having previously been guards,, and no exception is likely to be taken to them .by the locomotive men One ticket inspector, after taking the train to Lyttelton, brought back the ferry train and then went away in chaige of the Dunedin express. “As far as we know, every guard has gone off duty,” stated a traffic official this morning. “Practically all the crossing-keepers are out., but about six signalmen have remained on duty and are working the signal boxee between Addington and Lyttelton. There are also a few shunters who have not gone out. ’out we don’t know how long these will remain with us. Two very largely attended meetings were held in the Trades Hall this morning, the hall being too small to accommodate all the men at one time. Mr. R. Hampton, who was appointed chairman, was interviewed by a reporter afterwards, and said that a resolution had been passed to the effect that if the Department had occasion at any time during the strike to call out the railway fire brigade to deal with any fires on the premises, the men on strike would bo willing to attend to such duty. “We have urged upon the men to avoid anything in the shape of lawlessness or intimidation.” said Mr. Hampton. “In fact, we have told the men that any man acting in.such a. manner will be regarded as hemg against the cause. 4~stron<T committee of between 60 nnd 70 members was appointed. Mt. Hampton said that with, but one exception the men were solid. The only man standing out was. one who had been on signal duty since yesterday morning. EMERGENCY TRAIN FROM DUNEDIN. The emergency train from Dunedin arrived at 8i22 to-night. . It comprised nineteen well-filled carnages. Many passengers for Hie North Island were very disappointed on learning that they had missed the connection with the ferry steamer. . Some of the senior executive officers of the. Christchurch railway staff have not slept since Sunday night. . Many men have been working continually since the strike was called, and they are showing signs of strain. It is understood that in regard to emergency services Christchurch has done best of the four centres. NO FEAR OF COAL SHORTAGE. Christchurch has no fear of a coal shortage for a month or more. All large consumers have -good stocks on hand, freezing works, tanneries, and woollen companion included. Coal merchants have large stocks of steam and household coal- The Gas Co. has enough coal in stock for a month or two. Complete arrangements rave been made bv the Postal Department for the conveyance of mails throughout Canterbury and also to Dunedin. The chief postmaster has at his command a fleet of about fifty motor vehicles. An offer h;,s been received to convey mails to Dunedin by aeroplane, but' i this service will not. be used unless the express teaiixi fail to run.

EVERY MAN OUT IN DUNEDIN HILLSIDE WORKSHOPS PICKETED Dunedin, April 22.. The railway strike commenced in earnest in Dunedin this morning, when the guards, porters, goods sheds employees, and men at the Hillside shops ceased work. The action of the men cast quite a gloom over the town, and the wet weather conditions added to the feeling of depression. The general hope is that the strike may end as suddenly as it commenced. The local executive of the A.S.R.S. has issued the following statement: “Every man is out in Dunedin. The Otago branch are all standing solidly behind the decision of the Executive Council to force the issue and secure justice.” , . There is no communication between Dunedin and Invercargill to-day. The train to Mosgiel had to return with the engine pushing it. as there were no facilities for working the turntable. The reopening of many of the country schools in Otago and Southland after the holidays has been delayed, as teachers are on holiday tour, and are unable to return. At H'llside Workshops where 600 men are employed, only apprentices and some half-dozen men are working.. The works are picketed, but few refused to obey the A.S.R.S. command to go out. The strike committee’s notices enjoin members not to interfere with non-strikers, and to make the strike a model one. There is a great deal of repair work on hand, so that the dislocation is serious. Suburban workers were unable to reach town. Many people are stranded with insufficient money to see them through a long wait. A curious sight was the stationmaster and officials wheeling porteffi’ trollies. Many taxis were commissioned by visitors urgently requiring transport to North or South. A prominent railway employee was asked bv a reporter if he thought the men would lose their superannuation as a result of their going out on strike. He said that he did not think the Government would dare .to so penalise the men nor did he think the public would allow it to do so Mr. R. Semple, organiser for the Otago district, made the following statement this morning: “We met the men of both the shops and the traffic departments- They seemed to. realise the full significance of the strike and to display the greatest solidarity. They appear to be particularly anxious to have their grievances put right at the earliest possible moment, and are prepared to do anything and everything to bring about a speedy settlement. The responsibility rests with the Government. Information from the north shows that the men are united everywhere.” TRAINS NORTH AND SOUTH. An express train, consisting of seven carriages, a van, and mail car, left Dunedin at 10.17 a.m. to-day for Christchurch. The train was not crowded, and steamed out of the station without the slightest demonstration being made. A number of police were present fti case of > any demonstration being made. A train was also run to Mosgiel and back during the forenoon. These were the onlv trains run from the Dunedin station. Two engines, drawing 23 carriages, 18 passenger cars, and two vans arrived at Dunedin at 7.15 to-night from Christchurch. There were about 700 passengers. The guards were replaced by ticket inspectors and. no trouble was experienced on the journey. The pace between Christchurch and Oamaru was increased, few stops being made, but from Oamaru south stops were more frequent. DURATION OF HOLD-UP WILL OTHER UNIONS BE ASKED TO STOP Auckland. April 22. At a meeting in the Trades Hall, attended by eight hundred railwaymen addressed by Mr. F- Bartram, M.P. Mr. Hickey, organiser for Auckland,’and Mr. Puntell, secretary of the Dairymen’s Union, strike committees were formed. The appointment of a strike organiser was deferred. The opinion was expressed that the strike would not last more than two days; even if it did. it was expected that other unions will be asked to down tOOl WAIKATO MINES CLOSED. The Waikato coal mines have been closed in consequence of the strike, rendering 700 men idle. They are the Taupiri Co.’s Rotowaro Mine, the Waipa Co.’s Glenmassey Mine, and the Pukemiro Co.’s mine- The Dairy Association’s Glenafton and Hikurangi mines may have to close. MAIN TRUNK TRAINS RUSHED Palmerston North, April 22. When news that the strike was. impending was made known last night, the late Main Trunk express was crowded by people anxious to return to their homes. The south Main Trunk expresses this morning carried a large number of passengers. There were exciting scenes at the local railway , station when the first express arrived. The rush to secure seats made it almost impossdble for passengers to alight, and the officials had a busy time in keeping order. Many people were left behind, and went on by the second express. The strike has left few travellers stranded in Palmerston North, as they had ample opportunity to proceed to Wellington by the Main Trunk expresses this morning and fleets of cars are already running to all points of the compass. About 180 members of the A.S.R.S. are striking at Palmerston. The station goods sheds are full, but the removal of all perishable goods was allowed. . , At least one big freezing consignment which was to have been sent from the Feilding works to-day is held up, and if the strike persists, further difficulties of this nature are certain to affect farmer consignees detrimentall v ‘ COAL FAMINE IMMINENT. A coal famine is imminent in Palmerston North. Although the municipal gas, electricity and abattoir departments held six weeks or two months’ supply, private stocks are low and heavy buying to-dav reduced them to vanishing point. I he Mayor has issued a warning to residents to economise in fuel. . Food supplies, with the exception oi sugar, arc not immediately tliiea.tened and the Chamber of Commerce is atranging a transport service on behalf of business people. Sea transport via Foxton also will be availed ol gladly, but as the wharf is the property of the Railways Department there may be difficulty. . The postmaster reports that his department is arranging adequate facilities for mail transport. Cars and lorries from Wellington are being met at various points and mails exchanged. Postal metier is restricted to letters, jeapTTs, wsd small parikata Tie- offi-

cials have exercised discretion in accepting bulk matter and have turned a great deal of it away as they cannot guarantee carriage beyond their own particular district. MOTOR SERVICE MEETS SITUATION Foxton, April 22. The Foxton-Palmerston train did not run this morning. The passengers proceeded to their destinations by motor, cars. A passenger and goods motor service is now established between Fox. ton and Palmerston, which will meet the situation. The goods shed is filled, but there is nothing perishable in the shed, and private delivery is being arranged. The strike locally affects less than 20 men. < TO PROTECT PUBLIC PROPERTY Marton, April 22. The railway strikers have given an assurance that they will in every way )(rxLect public -property during the strike. TRAIN FROM NEW PLYMOUTH New Plymouth, April 22. A large number of motor-cars left this morning carrying passengers for southern destinations and at 11.30 the mail train left for Wanganui with about a hundred passengers. A little work is -beiim done on the wharf, loading tracks wSich happened to be there. The local Watersiders’ Union, at a meeting this morning, passed resolutions congratulating the railwaymen, pledging the fullest support, and condemning the action of the Government in publishing one-sided propaganda. STRANDED GOODS Taumarunui, April 22. The local train services have been suspended. A considerable amount of goods is stranded here, but fortunately there is nothing perishable. An endeavour will be made to send one mail each day to other centres by means of motor services. WATERSIDERS SYMPATHISE Wanganui, April 22. About 300 men are affected by the strike in Wanganui. The local watersiders, at a largelyattended meeting this morning, resolved to express sympathy with the railwaymen in their fight tor the 44hour week, better conditions, and wages ; and also assure them of their practical support. The tie-up here is practically complete. Two coastal vessels in port are unable to work owing to the railway wharf shed being closed. A large number of visitors is still left in the town. NO MATERIAL EFFECT Masterton, April 22. The suspension of the train service has not materially affected this district, as within twelve hours of the declaration of the strike a motor service had been installed, and the travelling public catered for in a most convenient manner. The postal service is disjointed, but it is hoped that the motor service which ran to-day from Wellington to Woodville will to-morrow run to a time-table, and connect with Hawke’s Bay and the Manawatu. Supplies generally are good. CURIOUS RESULTS ' SUPPLIES AT PICTON Blenheim, April 22. The railway strike materialised this morning with the non-arrirtd of the usual morning train from Picton and Ward. Sixty-three ere out on the Picton-Wharanui section. Ninety per cent, of the local men voted in favour of the strike. The strike is already responsible for curious and unexpected developments. So far as passenger traffic is concerned the strike, while it will cause a certain amount of inconvenience, will not ba seriously felt, as the bus services and taxi-cars are fully capable of dealing with all such traffic between Blenheim and Picton. Doubtless a more or less satisfactory service will be maintained with southern districts by the same means. As far as supplies are concerned there will be no trouble in Blenheim as long as the river port remains workable, and the country districts can be kept going from Blenheim by means of motor transport. . A curious position may arise in Picton in regard to goods arriving at the port. The railway is the only means of communication between Picton and the wharf, and as the only road is also in the hands of the Department it is conceivable that Picton, though right on the waterfront, may have difficulty in landing supplies. One of the most curious results of the strike is a decision of a farmer . at Spring Creek to abandon chaff-cutting until it is over. When his chaff-cutters arrived this morning they were told that they would not be required, as the farmer had decided that it was no use cutting chaff until assured that he could freight it to market. The manager of the Picton freezing works said the railway strike left the works with no option but to close down until the trouble was settled. Nelson, April 22. I The railway strike took effect locally this morning. An endeavour is being made to run a modified time-table to bring 300 children to the schools and colleges, also to cope with perishable produce and take overland passengers and mails to Glenliope for the Most Coast. ON THE WEST COAST TIMBER MILLS AND MINES AFFECTED Creymouth, April 22. Train traffic is suspended, the station offices are closed, and the engines are in the yards with steam up. Unloading from ships in port is stopped, owing to inability to get trucks. The timber mills probably will close down, affecting 1200 workers. Many State mine workers were unable to reach the mine to-day. . Motor cars are fully engaged in district trips, and a large number of Easter visitors are detained hero meanwhile. . _ The post office is negotiating for a suitable mail service to outside centres. Over 400 A.S.R.S. men are out. Ine loco men are merely standing by the engines. . Emergency motor services radiating from Groymcnrth. to Buller, ItssngahuA,

Hokitika, and Christchurch were instituted this morning. Postal services were also commenced. The local strike committee report that the West Coast railwaymen are solidly and unitedly behind the executive. VOLUNTEER HELP DECLINED Hokitika, April 22. A large number of passengers ered at the railway station this morning, including members of the Christchurch Bible Class, who had been on a camping tour in Hokitika. Muon disgust and. disappointment were expressed when it was found that the trains would not run. Offers of volunteer help were declined by the authorities. Newman’s motors were at once put on for all localities served by the trains. Several parties left for Greymouth, and a large bus, also carrying a letter mail, left for Christchurch at Q a.m.. Owing to the strike instructions not reaching Ross, the inward train arrived at the usual hour, but returned shortly after to the home station. A large fleet of motor-cars is being organised for carrying people to the Hokitika races to-day. Westport, April 22 There is no work on the railways here. At a mass meeting this morning, committees were set up. PICKETS ON DUTY Invercargill, April 22. Six hundred men are affected by the strike in the Southland district. One Bluff train to convey workers ran to the port and back to-day. There is a possibility of a train to Dunedin to-morrow if a crew can be arranged. There was a mild demonstration against strike-breakers in Post Office Square this morning. A delivery of letters throughout the province has been arranged. Numerous charabancs and motor conveyances are taking passengers to Dunedin and other destinations. The strikers posted pickets at the railway station and the yards, the object being to persuade r on-strikers to go out. Arrangements for the delivery of all perishable goods from the goods sheds have been. made. _ The borough is restricting lighting on account of a coal shortage. lighting is to be eliminated after tomorrow. There is no sugar reserve, and a shortage is likely. Other foodstuffs are in ample supply. Crtowds of Hasten visitors are marooned, The streets are dotted with idle groups,, apparently in a last sorry contemplation of the situation. Many Riverton racegoers are stranded. The strike has rendered the Lake Wakatipu steamers idle. Tn Invercargill everjdhing is quiet. Only three A.S.R.S. men are now remaining on duty. COMPLETE CESSATION Whangarei, April 22. The Whangarei-Portland railway service came to an abrupt and complete cessation as from midnight. The Whangarei-Auckland connection, apart from the strike had already been inert till now on account of the recent flood, damage. If the stoppage continues all mining operations in Hikurangi will have to close down soon or be curtailed considerably. Motor vehicles met the steamer Manaia at Onerahi this morning, conveying five hundred passengers to Whangarei. A meeting of the Chamber cf Commerce Council is convened for this afternoon, with a view, it is understood, of calling the business people together and. later arrange auxiliary services to Portland and southward of Whangarei to deal with essential traffic. The strike proved a windfall for motor proprietors to-day. Heavily laden oars and buses ran to various parts of the coast between Wellington and New Plymouth. One train arrived from New Plymouth and one was dispatched thereto. STRIKE ORDERS DELAYED Gisborne. April 22. Owing to the men receiving no information from headquarters the strike on the Gisborne section did not .operate until mid-day, when a telegram was received from Wellington. At noon all the A.S.R.S. members in the Gisborne branch, totalling about 80, walked off, leaving the loco men. head officers and clerical staff on duty. The usual service was run this morning. In the afternoon the Motuhora stationmaster acted as guard on the down train, and the Gisborne stationmaster was the guard on the up tjain. It is thought possible that a tri-week-ly service between Gisborne and Mptuhora may be arranged Meanwhile, motor services are conveying passengers to towns from Auckland in the north to Wellington in the south. INDUSTRIES AFFECTED Oamaru, April 22. So far as Oamaru is concerned, the railway strike will not seriously inconvenience the public. Complete arrangements have been made for the conveyance of mails and passengers to country districts. The freezing works may not be able to carry on owing to the shortage of stock, and this will throw many men out of employment. Other industries may also be compelled to shorten hands if the strike continues. Coal supplies are abundant, and the town is well supplied with other requisites. NOT MUCH DISLOCATION Tiniaru, April 22. The railway strike has not so far caused a great deal of dislocation hereExpress trains from north and south respectively are taking travellers, while mail cars are distributing mails and papers throughout the district. The following official report of a meeting of the Thorndon branch of A.S.R.S. has been forwarded for publication “The president of the A.S.R.S., Mr. M. Connolly, and Mr. T. Stanley, executive councillor, of Auckland, addressed one of the largest andi most enthusiastic meetings ever held by the Thorndon branch this morning. They traversed the whole of the negotiations leading up to the present crisis, emphasising the fact that they had done everything possible to come to a. rettlement, by peaceful methods. After hearing the speakers a vote of confidence in the president, and executive was passed, also assuring them that the branch would stand by them to the finish. This was carried with acclamation. This branch voted solidly for the strike, and up to the present all men are out, and likely,to be so.. Practically all members live in Wellington, and have no knowledge of these Bs. a week houses, quoted bv the departmental representatives. They are payjug anything from 30s. to £2 per week, with the exception cf a small percentage at Kaiwarra, who pay the equivelen.t «f on© day’s pay?'

PICTON FREEZING WORKS REOPENED ONLY TO CLOSE AGAIN By Telbgbaph—Special Cobbesfondent. Blenheim, April 12. The Picton freezing works, were reopened this morning after being closed for five weeks on account of the district shortage of fat stock, and they opened with every prospect of a good run, all the indications being that ample supplies of fat stock were available to keep the works going at high pressure. The manager had considerable difficulty in getting a staff to again man the works, but he succeeded and started off this morning to butcher some 768 head of fat sheep in the yards, only to receive advice that the railway strike was on and that no further supplies of stock would be forthcoming until it stopped. Consignments of stock for the works were actually loaded at Ward and Blind River, but the consignors on receiving advice of the strike had to detruck them and drive them back to their farms. Overseas steamers have been arranged for to load frozen meat at Picton at the end of this month and the end of May, but the arrangements will now have to be cancelled. ISLAND BANANAS STRIKE REDUCES VALUE BY HALF Auckland, April 22. The Tofua brought from the Islands a cargo of bananas which under ordinary circumstances would be worth £14', 000 or £15,000, but owing to the strike cutting off practically all the North Island markets the value is now only about half. The loss is divided among four or five traders. The steamer also brought 100 cases of Samoan bananas as a trial shipment. The fruit is of good quality, but owing to being picked late in the season some arrived over-ripe. EFFECT ON DAIRY INDUSTRY “FARMERS CANNOT CARRY HEAVIER LOADS” Te Awamutu, April 22. Mr. Charles Parker, Dominion president of the Dairy Farmers’ Union, interviewed, said that the railway strike would be a serious detriment" to the dairy industry, which was already suffering through the price ot butter-fat falling to the lowest levels experienced since the days before the war. Whatever the result of the present dispute may be, he contends that dairy farmers cannot carry any heavier loads than they do already, as their produce is selling at below the cost of production. “If the strike is long continued, dairy farmers will be hard hit,” he says. “As in many instances milk must "be wasted.” Mr. Parker is asking each provineial executive to hold urgent emergency meetings to consider the situation arising from the strike, so that by organisation the losses may be minimised. He urges dairy farmers to look to the union and offer it suggestions so that the union may deal with the situation from the dairy farmers’ viewpoint. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS Contrary to a telegraphed report, the Union Company’s ferry steamer Maori, which arrived at Wellington yesterday morning, was not crowded with passengers on her trip from Lyttelton. The passengers totalled about 400, as compared with the vessel’s full complement, which is 700. About 500 passengers left Wellington last evening by the Maori for Lyttelton. The steamer Hertford, which is being loaded at Wellington for London by the New Zealand Shipping Company, received no frozen meat cargo by rail yesterday. The vessel, however, was engaged in shipping general cargo. She is, timed to leave here to-morrow xqjuTing for London. The Shaw, Savill and Albion Company’s steamer Waiwera, having completed her loading at Wellington, will sail early this morning for London. The steamer Piako, which is being loaded by the Federal Line for West Coast ports of Great Britain, is held up at New Plymouth, awaiting frozen meat cargo which has to be transported by rail from Waitara to New Plymouth. Although there is provision in the Industrial and Conciliation and Arbitration Act for the settlement of a dispute between the Minister of Railways and the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the Court’s aid may only be evoked by a special meeting of, that society for the filing of a special petition for investigation. Considerable doubt has been expressed about the coal position, but inquiries made in Wellington show that there are very good stocks of coal available. There may be a, doubt about the quantity of soft coal in hand for gas-producer plants used bv some freezing works, but even in these cases there is no sign of a pronounced shortage.