THE RAILWAY STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 181, 26 April 1924, Page 6

THE RAILWAY STRIKE

SOME OF THE SERVICES RESUMED SUBURBAN AND PROVINCIAL TIMETABLES EXTENDING RACEGOERS CATERED FOR TO-DAY Local suburban passenger services, and one of the provincial mail services, were resumed on the railways on Thursday morning. Trains will run to the races to-day, and the Minister of Railways (Hon. J. G. Coates) hopes to improve on Thursday’s suburban services to-day. The action of the Government in starting a skeleton service in the face of difficulties is greatly appreciated by the public, and it is an encouraging feature that all the labour employed in the running of the trains is voluntary,

TRAINS FOR SUBURBAN RESIDENTS DEPARTMENT SPRINGS A SURPRISE MUCH BETTER SERVICE HOPED TO-DAY. A surprise was sprung on the public of the Wellington suburban districts on Thursday morning, when trains arrived at the Lower Hutt, Hutt, l.linimerton, and Johnsonville, stations, and carried suburban residents to town The reticence of tho Railway Department as to its plans was only natural in the circumstances, and the surprise wap all the more pleasant. As the services had not been advertised, some of the trains were not as fully patronised as they might have been, and the fact that many people had taken return fares in the buses contributed to a slight overplus of accommodation on the outward trains in the evening, but the latter were wellfilled nevertheless. On Thursday evening trains were run to the Lower Hutt at 4.40 p.m. and 5.35 p.m.; to the Upper Hutt at 5.7 p.m.: to Plimmerton at 5 p.m-; and to Johnsonville at 5.25 p.m. The Napier mail service was resumed on Thursday morning, and to-day a train will leave Napier at 8.45 a.m., reaching Thorndon at 5.48 p.m. The trains were all manned by expert officers, some of whom had long since graduated from that class of work, and the signallers, guards,, and other officers were of unquestioned capability, so that no risks were undertaken by the drivers or the publicThere had been numerous rumours of trouble, especially at Thorndon. but j when the trains drew into the plat- i forms to take passengers the pickets kept well in the background,. and there was no attempt of any kind to interfere with the dispatch of the services. The competition between the trains and the motor services was marked at both stations, and many of the public appeared to be divided in their minds, quite a number adhering to the motor services, perhaps, because they landed them nearer their homes. No trains -were run on Anzac Day, which was observed as a close holiday, but the time-table for to-day includes trains at 6.30 a.m. and 1.20 p.m. for the Upper Hutt; at 6.30 a.m., 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 12.6 p.m., 12.30 p.m., and 1.20 p.m. for the Lower Hutt; the return time-table being 8.4 a.m. from Upper Hutt, and 7.30 a.m., 8.30 a.m., 8.45 a.m., and 12-35 p.m. from the Lower Hutt; while trains will run out of Wellington at 615 a.m. and 1.25 p.m. for Plimmerton, and at 6.15 a.m., 6.45 a.m., 12.15 p.m., and 1.25 p.m. for Johnsonville; the return trains leaving Plimmerton at 7.30 a.m. and 2.45 p.m., and Johnsonville at 7.25 a.m., 8.21 a.m.-, 12.50 p.m., and 3.28 p.m. A special service will be arranged today to convey the public and mon of the fleet to the races at. Trantham. The sale of tickets will be limited so as to prevent over-crowding. Race trains will leave Wellington at 9.30 a.m., 9.45 a.m., 10.0 a.m. and 10.15 a.m.

The Minister of Railways (Hon. JG Coates), interviewed last night, said that it was hoped to have a much better service to the suburbs to-day, and that some 2460 of the public and men of the fleet would be carried to the races at Trentham. The New Plymouth express would come through to Wellington., and it was expected that all services would continue io be increased, though a normal service could not yet be expected. WEST COAST HOLD-UP WATERSIDERS REFUSE TO HANDLE BUNKER COAL BENZINE CARGO UNWORKED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Greymouth, April 25. No trains have run for the last couple of days on the Westland section. while overland motor traffic for passengers and mails since Wednesday has bean held up by adverse road conditions. It is expected traffic will be resumed on Saturday. The steamer Kittawa left halfloaded with timber for Australia, being allowed to bunker by consent of tho Strike Committee. Another steamer, the Alexander, has been in port since Sunday. She has a cargo of 700 cases of benzine, still abonyl. A move towards unloading on Thursday was not carried out. The reason is unknown. The strikers have a s;>orts meeting at Victoria Park tomorrow. Westport, April 25. Coal was shunted on to tho wharf tor the bunkers of the Karori, but the watersiders refused to load it as the shunting had been done by other than the usual shunters, namely, stationmasters and goods foremen. The Karori, therefore, sailed for Wellington instead of going on to Greymouth as originally intended. The Kaimanawa was unable to get additional bunkers to carry her on to Newcastle. so also sailed for Wellington. Tho Breeze was more fortunate, as her bunker supplies had been placed on the wharf prior to the trouble, so the watersiders worked her, but she is still in port waiting orders. Otherwise the situation is unchanged.

The Tramway Band will play at Seatoun to-morrow, and the Is. Battalion Band at Lyall Bap.

ALLIANCE OF LABOUR CIRCULAR TO AFFILIATED UNIONS At the recent meeting of the Council of the Alliance of Labour it was decided to circularise the different affiliated unions and ask their opinions as to the course of action which should be taken in regard to the railwaymen’s strike. . A largely attended meeting of the Wellington Drivers’ Union was held on Thursday night to consider a communication from the Alliance of Labour in reference to the strike. After some discussion the following motion was carried unanimously: “That this meeting extends to the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants its best wishes in its struggle for a living wage and the maintenance of the 44hour week, and recommends that the Dominion Federation should support any action which the Alliance of Labour may decide upon to meet the situation.” FARMER’ UNION VIEW HEARTILY SUPPORT GOVERNMENT’S ATTITUDE By Telegraph—Press Association. FelWing, April 25.

At a meeting of the Farmers’ Union held on Friday afternoon the following resolution was carried unanimously, and it was decided to send it on to the Prime Minister: — “That this meeting of the executive of the Feilding branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union heartily supports the attitude taken up by the Government in the present railway strike, and considers that the action taken by Mr. Acland, chairman of the commission set up to deal with the matter, .was the onlyone possible under the circumstances." ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION A PETONE MOVEMENT An attempt at mediation between the strikei s and the Government was made at Petono on Thursday. The movement ivas taken up by the Ministers’ Association and business men. A public meeting, held at the Empress Theatre, Petone, at 3 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, was crowded to the doors. The Mayor of Petone (Mr J. W. McEwan) presided. After a brief discussion; a resolution, moved by the Rev. Mr. Ranson, that a depu tation should wait upon Cabinet with a view of endeavouring to reopen negotiations, was carried. A member of the A.S.R.S. put forward a different proposition, but the meeting decided that it would be wiser to confine itself solely to endeavour* ing to reopen negotiations between the A.S.R-S. and the Government in the meantime.

Subsequently the deputation waited upon the Government and placed its views before Ministers.

Offers of private cars for the use of the officers of the warships are solicited by tho Entertainment Committee. Most of the golf links and sports grounds in Wellington are situated some distance from town, and it is to facilitate the journeys to and from such places, as well as for evening engagements, that the cars are needed. Those prepared to do something in this direction are requested to communieate with Mr. Barry Kesiing, telephones 2314 fir 2119.

A DENIAL OTHER TRANSPORT WORKERS NOT INVOLVED By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunedin, April 24. This morning Mr. Semple, the local strike organiser, characterised as a downright lie a statement made in Wellington that an effort is being made to involve all transport workers in the strike. Other prominent Labour members corroborated, stating that no section of workers had been approached by the railwaymen or any other organisation to bring about a general strike. “FULMINATIONS” MR. ISITT ANSWERS MR. HOLLAND By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 25. Mr. L. M. Isitt, M.P., has sent the following letter to Mr. Holland, M.P., in reply to the latter’s request that he should support the calling of a special session to deal with tho railway dispute:— Your wire received urging me to support your request to the Prime Minister to immediately summon Parliament to deal with tho deplorable and ill-advised strike that you and your extreme Labour confreres are mainly responsible for. I certainly do not think that the fulminations of extreme Labour members are likely to contribute to any satisfactory solution, and so cannot support your request.

IN OTHER PARTS SOME TRAINS RUNNING MOTOR TRANSPORT ACTIVE SHIPPING INTERFERED WITH MEN THROWN IDLE Telegrams from the different centres throughout the Dominion go to show that here and there trains are already being run, and motor transport is developing on satisfactory lines. Shipping has been interfered with to some extent, and unemployment is increasing owing to the closing down of mills, due to the lack of transport. POSITION IN CANTERBURY TRAINS AND MOTOR SERVICES CARGO STEAMERS DIVERTED NO EXPLOITATION OF PUBLIC By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, April 24. A train for Timaru of ten passenger cars and a luggage van with over six hundred passengers got away from Clhristehurdii station at 11.10 a-.m., ten minutes behind the advertised time of departure. It was watched by a huge crowd, and there was much cheering and waving of handkerchiefs by passengers and spectators. Administration officials acted as luggage porters, and ticket inspectors who are not members of the Officers’ Institute went as guards. No signals are being used. Advice has been received that a train for Christchurch left Oamaru at 10.4. The crossing probably will be at Timaru. The ferry train from Lyttelton arrived without incident, and a train for Lyttelton is expected to get away at 4 p.m. No second division traffic men are working on Christchurch station, and it is reported that only two are working in the whole of North Canterbury. The Officers’ Institute is taknig the stand that members must not undertake second division work, which it is expected will increase the difficulties of the Department. Motor passenger services between Christchurch and all main line points as far south as Invercargill are now on a firm footing. When the Otira gorge slip is cleared away on Saturday the same will be true of tho West Coast route. Apart from this all sorts of more or less temporary passenger services not running to any definite time-tables aro operating in all parts of Canterbury. This moaning tha main north and south roads were alive with motor vehicles of every size and description all well loaded with passengers. Cathedral Square about 9 a.m. to-day was thronged with travellers waiting to take their seats in service oars bound for Timaru, Dunedin, Hanmer, Kaikoura, Akaroa, and all points en route. . _ The Wingatui, which arrived yesterday from Wellington with Auckland cargo and a consignment of sheep from Gisborne, discharged her live stock and proceeded to Dunedin this morning, over-carrying a quantity of general cargo consigned to Lyttelton, which included sugar. This means that it is unlikely that any more sugar will be unloaded at Lyttelton during the strike. The Union Company have announced that the Kaikoura, due at Lyttelton on Sunday from Geelong, Victoria, with a cargo of wheat, has been diverted, and that the Navua from Dunedin to load for Auckland will now proceed from Dunedin to Wellington direct. The Colonna, which arrived >n the stream from Newcastle on Monday morning with a full load of coal, will be berthed to-day There is little prospect of her being discharged for the present. . The ferry steamer Maori brought only about‘l6o passengers from Wellington this morning. It is. evident the number travelling are rapidly diminishing as those who were away from home when the strike started, returned by ferry. Trains in the morning and afternoon continue to run. OTAGO’S TWO SERVICES ARRANGING FOR FOOD SUPPLIES Dunedin, April 24. A Labour rally, addressed by Mr J. Howard, M.P.. Mr. R. Semple, and others, were held here. A resolution was passed liiat this meeting of Dunedin citizens assuras the railwaymen of its sympathy, and calls on Mr. Massey to immediately convene Parliament to deal with the question.” Dunedin, April 25. The Railway Department is still able to run two services daily, one to Oama.ni and back, and the other to Outram and back, the use of motor cars and motor lorries is growing daily, and the opinion is expressed amongst, merchants that whichever side wins in the present struggle, future traffic on the railways will be permanently affected. A meeting of representatives of the mercantile community, and delegates from the various associations interested in the business of the city and province was held in the Council Chambers, on Thursday, the Mayor presiding. Ihe purpose of the* assembly was to devise some method whereby food and other necessities might be conveyed between the city and the rural districts, during the temporary dislocation of the railway service. A strong committee was formed, from. those most intimately acquainted with the needs of the community. It was also resolved that any attempt to inflate prices cf commodities owing to temporary scarcity or overcharging for services rendered should be sternly reprobated.

IDLE WORKMEN IN SOUTHLAND MOTOR SERVICES DOING WELL BY TELEGRAPH.-PRESS ASSOCIATION, Invercargill, April 24. Mr. M. J. Savage, M.P. for Auckland West arrived to-night and assumes the position of strike organiser for Southland. At a meeting of the Bakers’ Aseociatpon to-day, it waar announodd that local flourmillere had sufficient

stocks of wheat on hand to provide ample supplies of flour for three months to come. An effort is being, made to keep local coal miners going by removing the output of the mines by motor lorry to meet local requirements. A majority of the sawmills have closed indefinitely, but a few will continue operations till stocks accumulate up to the limit. If a settlement is not reached shortly 500 mill hands and bushmen will be rendered idle. The only train to-day was the Bluff workmen’s service. Motor services to all parts of the province are now well organised and no difficultly is beinjg experienced in dealing with passengers and essential foodstuffs. IN THE NORTH SCRATCH TRAINS RUN AN APPEAL TO THE A.S.R.S. Auckland, April 25. A train was run to Papatoetoe yesterday afternoon, but owing to lack of notice carried no passengers outward. and only twelve inward. The engine-drivers held two meetings today, but their attitude has not been announced. Darganille, April 24. Settlers along tho Kaihu railway line owing to the bad conditions of the road after the recent floods, are feeling the effects of the strike. As far as food supplies are concerned the railway is the only means they have of communication with Dargaville, and the trains being cut off puts them in a bad way. A scratch train, manned by the usual engine staff and a stationmaster, left at midday to-day, carrying food supplies which will relieve the position somewhat. Continued Tunning could not. however, be guaranteed. The following telegram was sent to Mr. Mack, secretary of the A.S.R.S., to-day, ’ey the Chamber of Commerce: “Business men’s association feeling in this district is that owing to the severe isolation of settlers, the roads being impassable owing to flood destruction and their absolute dependence on the railway for food, that railwaymen here should be released from their strike pledge and allowed to work food and perishable goods as required. It is a matter of common humanity, and will be recognised as such, and do no harm to your objective.” Cisborne, April 24. Members of the first division to-day intimated that they would only carry out their own duties. Consequently it was intimated that no more meat could bo brought in from the Waipara works. Only the stationmaster remains to take charge of local trains. A train left for Motuhora this morning, maintaining the time-table, and returns this evening. Whangarei, April 24. A partial train service is running from Whangarei to Opua and back. The authorities declare their intention to keen the service going on Tuesdays. Thursdays and Saturdays, while coat stocks latit. . At a business men’s meeting last night plana were formulated for substitute traffic services affecting essen-, tials. A STORAGE PROBLEM Auckland, April 24. At a meeting of the Harbour Board it was resolved th;te if the sleepers cn the Port Caroline cannot be removed from the wharf over and above what can be stored outside, the vessel mt st go into the stream. The other alternative which the board could adept is to have the sleepers carted from the wharf and stacked on the Harbour Board sections, charging the Railway Department the cost of removing them. The sheds must be kept clear for general cargo, so as to have ample spate to store a large quantity. “We will empty as many ships as possible,” said an official. ‘‘lt is our duty to give ships coming into port as. quick dispatch as nossible, and while we have the equipment and storage space the board will not be found wanting in carrying out its functions. ’ PRESS COMMENTS MR. WILFORD’S FAILURE If anvthing had been needed to supply a final proof of the uselessness and unworthiness of the official Liberal Party, it is supplied in the statement Mr. Wilford has made (comments the Christchurch “Press”). He must know that tho strike is more than a revolt of railwaymen against reason and duty, that it is an attempt to bring the country into helpless servitude to the Red party of direct action. Yet he abstains from saying a single word to show that he or his party hold any firm or honest opinion upon so grave an issue. He expresses his unctuous and sanctimonious regret that a strike has taken place, and talks vaguely of having attempted to throw oil on the waters of trouble. His timid and perfunctory manner of referring to these points is strikingly in contrast with the energy and gusto with which he turns to the more congenial task of giving his wholehearted support to the strikers’ claims and making a carping attack on the .Government.

THE FUTILITY OF FORCE. In industrial, as in other warfare, force really settles nothing except to make it plain which of the contending parties is the stronger (says the “Lyttelton Times”). When this strike.is over there will remain the necessity for maintaining in the railway service conditions that shall be based, not on terms of victory in the struggle, but on the more enduring basis of justice. The strike is an effect, and it would be a reflection upon us as a cviilised people if we devoted all our time and energies to dealing with the effect and paid no attention to the cause. It is the duty of the Government, while doing its utmost to keen open means of communication, to refuse no overture likely to lead to a just and honourable settlement. THE PUBLIC’S LIMIT. The executive of the A.S.R.S. has little knowledge of tho psychology of the average British community, otherwise present tactics would be avoided (remarks the “Timaru Herald”).. At bedrock, public opinion is just in its conclusions, and if the railwaymen have public opinion on their side—and they have in any acceptable demands they make —recourse to direct action is quite unnecessary since public opinion would force the Department to give favourable consideration to the men’s claims. On the other hand, if the tactics of the men arouse the hostility of the public their cause is foredoomed to failure, since tho people of New Zealand resent in tho most emphatic fashion any attempt to force concessions at the point of the bayonet. THE RED ELEMENT. Nominally a conflict between the railwaymen on the one hand, and the community on the other hand, the strike is the beginning of an attempt by the Reds to paralyse and conquer the country. This (states the Christchurch “Press”) is evident from the part which the Labour Party is playing in the crisis, from the terms in whioh the Dunedin conference and the professional strike leaders refer to it. Most people had iiar«ir»d

A civic reception is to be tendered to Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick L. Field, K.C.8., C.M.G., and the staffs of H.M.S. Hood and Repulse, in the Concert Chamber. Town Hall, at 12 o’clock noon on Monday.

issue between the public and the Reds would be fought out at the ballot-box and in Parliament, as ultimately it will, but apparently direct action is to be tried first. There will be great loss and suffering as a result of this most unwarranted blow at the community, but worse loss and suffering will bo thn lot of the public if it does not meet the attack with firmness and courage and a determination to assert its rights and its power.

A PROVOCATIVE PROCEEDING. Public opinion is, at bottom, just in its conclusions. But (observes the “Otago Daily Times”), the community does well to insist that a strike shall be regarded only as a device that is to be used in the last resort. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants has admitted that tho processes of negotiation have not been exhausted. Its recent request for the appointment of a second Wagee Board involved this admission. It has, however, in the most provocative manner, abandoned negotiations with the object of compelling the Government, as the agent on behalf of the whole community in the _ management of the railways, to submit to demands upon the merits of which the public has had no opportunity of expressing a judgment. There can, we firmly believe, bo only one end to a strike so wantonly undertaken. and it will be an end that will ’oe disastrous to those who foolishly engage in it.

THE REAL MISCHIEF-MAKERS. The Labour Party (notes the Christchurch “Sun”) goes so far as to charge the Government with engineering a struggle with the railwaymen for the purpose of making political capital out of tho resultant distress and the dislocation. That is an argument of the nursery; no intelligent, impartial person will take it seriously. But tho Labour Party will stoop to anything to inflame the popular mind against the Government.. If there is one party with a set object of extracting political capital out of the present conflict it is tho one led by Mr. H. E. Holland. ... It is significant that the . appearance of aggressive militancy in the ranks of the A.S.R.S. synchronises with that society’s affiliation with the Alliance of Labour. The alliance, as everybody is aware, is controlled by officials who are noted for their class conscious doctrines. It is not a fit and proper school for servants of the State, as the railwaymen may yet learn. The alliance keeps.the strike weapon too hondy to its right hand. AN ILL-TIMED AFFAIR. So far as the business of the country is concerned, the strike could not have occurred at a more opportune time (remarks the “North Otago Times”). There is very little produce moving, and the motor services will be adeouate for the conveyance of mails and foodstuffs. The railwaymen have, determined to bludgeon the people into submission. But they will find, on this occasion at any rate, that the great body of people will not submit to such a form of tvrannv. The strike is a blow, not Vt tlie Government, but at. every working man, every person outside the railway service in the whole DominionSEE IT THROUGH? The “New Zealand Industrial Bulletin,’’ commenting editorally on the issues involved, says: “Laying.aside certain minor issues, the main dispute between the parties is in the matter of wages. In the opinion of those who are arguing the case from the Government’s side, the railwaymen are asking too much. If that is the case then it ought to be a simple matter to prove it, if not to the satisfaction of the men. to the satisfaction, at least, of the. general public. If the public is satisfied that the demands made upon the Government’s purse—whioh means the pockets of tho people—are extortionate, then the best thing to be done is to let the railwaymen strike and see the. thing through. What the public will not tolerate, we should imagine, is a strike followed by the capitulation of the Government and the concession of the demands for which the hold-up W’as decided upon. . . It is unfortunately true that in a great many instances the contesting parties in a strike have composed their differences rather than prolong the war. Now, if the argument on the employing side is good at the beginning it ought to stand all the way through. On the other hand, if concessions are possible at the end of the strike fhey ought to have been possible before the hold-up commenced. There is far too much of the spirit of haggling over the question of wages and conditions. We hope that the points in dispute will be settled on the basis of principle, and not influenced by any question of public convenience.”