THE RAILWAY STRIKE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 183, 29 April 1924, Page 7

THE RAILWAY STRIKE

CABINET WILL REPLY TO A.S.R.S. TO-DAY DOMINION AND SUBURBAN SERVICES DOUBLED FIRST TRAIN FOR AUCKLAND Cabinet spent yesterday afternoon and evening in lengthy consideration of the A.S.R.S. proposals for a new commission and the decision arrived at will be made known to-day. . The Wellington suburban train services have been doubled,' and urban and provincial services throughout the Dominion will show an equal improvement to-day. Strikers continue to return to work and assist with the running o the trains.

PROPOSED NEW COMMISSION THE GOVERNMENT'S REPLY The Minister of Railways (Hon-. G Coates) stated on behalf of Cabinet late last night that Cabinet had considered the proposals of the A fa.K.fa. for a new commission at considerable length vesterday afternoon and evenin" and had arrived at a decision, but’ as the reply was a lengthy one, and had to be put in writing, it could not be communicated for publication last night. The Minister said that he was at work on the drafting of the reply, but that it -would not be available until to-day. GENERALLY AMPLIFIED SERVICES TRAIN FOR AUCKLAND TO-DAY The increasing number of nien returning to work is enabling the Railway Department to amplify the services in every direction. The first passenger train to leave for Auckland since the strike, although it will accomplish the journey in sections, is to leave this morning, and the suburban notably to Johnsonville and the Butt Valley, have been more than doubled, while the programme for the visits of children to the fleet will cater for a large number of children from the surrounding districts. The following statements were made bv the General Manager of Kailways (Mr. R. W. McVilly) yerterday:— The Auckland services mentioned yesterday are being maintained. In the South Island trains are running from Christchurch to Lyttelton with goods and passengers; Christchurch to Waikare; Christchurch to Oamaru ; Christchurch to Springfield; Timaru to Christchurch, with goods and passengers. There is practically a through service from Christchurch to Dunedin. The following telegram has also been received by the general manager: — “Invercargill: Bluff waterside workers have resumd work, and are handling meat for the Tekoa. “'rhe Department is running morning and evening trains from Invercargill to Bluff and back ; passenger trains trains between Invercargill and Dunedin. both ways, daily; mixed train Waikaka to Invercargill and back on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. A train for passengers from Invercargill to Takanu, Tuatapere, Nightcaps, and Kingston, one day to each place this week.” A telegram from Dunedin states: “Running workers’ train on the Port Chalmers line morning and evening, and from Oamaru to Dunedin and back; Dunedin to Invercargill and back; Outram to Dunedin and back; and the mail train from Dunedin to Christchurch.” A number of guards, have resumed duty, and are now employed running trains in different districts. Some other useful members of the service have also resumed duty. We anticipate being able to improve the suburban services on the Hutt and Johnsonville lines to-morrow (Tuesday). The indications arc that there will be a gradual improvement of the train services in the various districts. The Napier express this morning was a heavy train—eleven cars full. The passenger service is running between Aramoho and New Plymouth, which connects with the Northern Company’s steamer at New Plymouth. TO-DAY'S IMPROVED SUBUR BAN SERVICES Trains will run as follow to suburbs to-day:— Wellington to Plimmerton, 6.15 a.m. and 5 p.m.; Plimmerton fcr Wellington. 7.30 a.in. and 6.15 p.m. Wellington for Johnsonville, 6.15 a.m., 645 a.m., ,12.15 p.m., 5 p.m., and 5.25 p.m.; Johnsonville for Wellington, 7.25 a.m., 8.22 a.m., 1.30 p.m., 6-8 p.m.. and 6.57 p.m. Wellington for Lower Hutt, 6.30 a.m.. 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 10.10 a.m., 12.15 p.rm, 2.5 p.m., 4.30 p.m., 5.7 p.m., and 5.35 p.m.; Lower Hutt for Wellington, 7.30 a.m.., 8.30 a.m., 8.45 am., 11.22 am., 1.33 p.m., 5 p_,m. 6.5 p.m. and 7 p.m. Wellington for Upper Hutt, 6.30 a.m., and 5.7 p.m.; Upper Hutt for Wellington, 8.4 am. and 6.20 p.m. AUCKLAND TRAIN A train will leave Wellington for Oliakiine at 8 am. to-day. Passengers will stop at Ohakune for the night and will proceed next morning for Auckland at 7 a.m. A connecting service will be run from Martinborough to Aramoho. RUN WITHOUT INCIDENT EXTENSION OF AUCKLAND SERVICES By Telegraph—Press Association Auckland, April 28. Eight trains ran to and from suburban stations north and south, and carried 2400 passengers to-day without incident. A train from Frankton Om'ed 350 passengers, and returned with 300. Practically the same time-table is arranged for to-morrow, feut the Department expects to increase the passenger services on Wed-

nesday and to make provision for the conveyance of necessities. Dargaville, April 28. The Business Men’s Association and Chamber of Commerce on Saturday made combined representations to the local stationmaster to run a train on the Kaihu section of the railway, where nearly 200 settlers depend on the trains to get their cream Ho the factory and their household supplies from Dargaville, owing to the baa condition of the roads since the recent floods. The stationmaster acceded to the request and ran a train himself to-day, assisted by the usual engine team. It is expected that another train will be run on Thursday ' Hamilton, April 28. The strike situation is quiet. The men solidly support the The first tram since the strike lett Frankton this morning for Auckland. It carried 200 passengers. WORKING SMOOTHLY VOLUNTEERS FROM COUNTRY. New Plymouth, April 28. The mail train service between here and Wanganui and the Wd train between here and Hawera are being maintained, and are running smoothly. The working of ships caigo by motor-lorries, using the Coro " a | i l 2 , “ Hall as a sorting shed, is proceedmg satisfactorily, with plenty of labour. A detachment of volunteers from the countiry is assisting. A large cwgc of bananas from Auckland for places as far south as Marton was distributed on Saturday by motor. PARTIAL GOODS SERVICE CANTERBURY TRAINS RUNNING WELL COLLEGE STUDENTS AT WORK. Christchurch, April 28. A partial goods service was inaugurated at the Christchurch station this morning, and the yard hod a more businesslike look about it than it has had since the strike began. Shunting operations commenced fairly early, administrative officials acting as shunters and signalmen. None of the regular shunters were to be seen about the yards, although it is stated that some have returned to duty. At about 10..0 the first goods train got away to Ashburton, a guard who had returned to duty going in charge of it. Shortly alter wards a train left for Lyttelton with a’ coaching foreman as guard. The express for Oamaru, fifteen carriages and two vans, got away at 9.20 with 600 or 700 passengers. Twenty college students offered as casual labourers, and were employed mostly in carriage cleaning at Is. 9d. per hour. Apart from the railway yards at Lyttelton being practically empty of trucks the waterfront presented a fairly busy appearance this morning. There were twelve vessels in port, counting H.M.S. Laburnum, the ferry steamer, and the Orcpuki in dock. The Cygnet and Cun opus, which have paid off their crews, have been laid up. “All ships in port are being worked,” was the statement made by a shipping official. “The cargo is being placed into trucks, and we hope that it will be dispatched to town, perhaps to-dry or to-morrow.” “Go along the waterfront,” said another shipping official, “'and you will see that things are much better than was anticipated.” “The skeleton service is running well,” said the chairman of the North Canterbury Transport Committee. "The Railway Department will now be able to carry to Christchurch all the petrol from Lyttelton, where several teats are now discharging, and that will relieve the position in Christchurch?’ There are several refrigerating boats coming in during next week, and it is expected that a resumption will be made with the loading of refrigerated cargo about the middle of the week. THE PETONE MEDIATORS FURTHER RESOLUTIONS Another public meeting was held al Petone yesterdav with the object of reopening negotiation* between the men' bors of the A.S.R.S. and the Government with a view to ending the strike. After discussion, the following motion, moved by the Rev. F. S. Ramson, and seconded by the Rev. F. H. Radford, was carried: — “Having heard the report of the deputation which was sent to urge the council of the A.S.R.S. Mid the Gnernment to reopen negotiations with a view to ending a dispute that is causing great inconvenience and loss to the public, and having heard Cabinet’s reply, we now resolve as follows:— "That in the event of the overtures by the A.S.R.S., as reported in today’s Press, failing to ,produce a settlement, the Prime Minister he urged to convene Parliament without delay, that this matter may' bo dealt with by the representatives of the people while there is yet time to avoid further trouble. “We further respectfully suggest that the public elsewhere should support this recommendation.”

DELIVERY OF LETTERS SERVICES WELL MAINTAINED BIG ENGLISH MAIL QUICKLY HANDLED Now that there is one express every other day between Wellington and Napier, there is only need for a through motor service on the alternative days, which means a considerable relief to the General Post Office, which is doing its best to keep up the delivery of mails as far as possible. Any resumption of a train service in any part of the country means a little relief. A boat is now leaving New Plymouth for Onehunga every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, returning on the alternate days. It has been found impossible to establish a service overland from Christchurch to the West Coast, so the mails are being brought up to Wellington, taken on to Nelson by steamer, and then sent on t-o the coast by the Newman motors, with a lorry to carry the second-class mail matter. To add to the worry of the postal staff, an extra heavy English and Australian mail came forward by the Moe raki on Sunday, and had to be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. This consisted of 1603 bags, of which 1338 bags were from the United. Kingdom A special staff was put on at midnight to sort this mail, and, tackling the toad in great heart, had cleared it by 7.10 a.m. yesterday—a very good per formance indeed. A through mail to Auckland was dispatched 'oy niotoi from Wellington at 10 p.m. on Sunday. In all othw parts of the country the services are being adequately maintained. IN SOUTHERN DISTRICTS COMMUNICATIONS REESTABLISHED Dunedin, April 8. The Railway Department is nicking every effort to run more trains. Communication has been re-established with Invercargill, a train leaving here this morning. To-morrow a service will be commenced with Christchurch, the express leaving at 8. For the first time since the strike, trains ran to-day on the Port Chalmers line, to the relief of many workers. Services are still maintained with Outram and Camaru. The train to Invercargill this morning was crowded. Speaking on the settlement possibilities, Mr. R. Semple, the local strike organiser, stated that the A.S.R.S. exexecutive’s proposal might he said to be more than reasonable, since that the proposed members of the commission were principally Government supporters, and he could not see the Government turning it dawn. If Cabinet allowed the trouble to continue it would receive the community’s condemnation. A good deni could be said about the personnel suggested, but the men were so confident of the justice cf their claims that they were willing to allow anv set of men to review them. It is stated that none of the men who struck at Hillside have offered to return. NO MOVEMENT ' Greymouth, April 28. There were no trains nor chipping movements to-day. The overland car services, were again held up by road and river obstacles. GOVERNMENT ACTION SUPPORTED IZarton, April 28. At Huntervillc it was resolved: “That this meeting of representatives of the business and farming community regret the railway strike and deplore the attitude of the Labour leaders throughout the country, who are either willfully or ignorantly misrepresenting the causes of the lamentable condition in which the Dominion is placed to-day through their influence. We sympathise with many leva! railwaymen, who have been compelled to cease work contrary to. their own wishes, and, further, we wish to assure the Government cf our Joyal support in whatever action they'’ may deem necessary to carry or. the business of the country during the present crisis.” Oamaru, April 28. The Oamaru Chamber of Commerce passed a resolution unanimously supporting the Government in its action in regard to the strike. WHAT IS THE PUBLIC TO BELIEVE ? Air. J. Roberts, secretary of the Alliance of Labour, stated on Saturday: “You can take this down: The transport workers will support the railwaymen in the present fight.” Air. R. Semple, organiser for the A.S.R.S. in the South, told a “Star” reporter on Saturday: "There is no truth in the statement telegraphed from Wellington that an effort was being made to invoke the whole of the transport workers and others in the strike. As strike organiser, I would like you to emphasise the fact that this is a. downright lie.” JOTTINGS An official who has travelled recently on the Wellington-Napier and Wellington-New Plymouth runs remarked on the cordiality shown by the public at the stations along both lines to those engaged in running the trains, cheers being notably the reception met with throughout, interspersed with a .slight counter move from men on strike. One picket un-countrv expressed disgust at the task allotted to him, and stated emphatically that the whole strike business was a miserable mistake. A motor driver yesterday morning had a railway r.l'icial sitting next to him on a. trip to the citv. . “They 101 l me,” said the motor driver to his passenger, “that the men who have gone in got a premise c.f promotion and a gold watch each.” "Not on your life.” was the instant response. “They get no inducement at all to return to work', beyond having their rights conserved and their pay restored. for disproving the alleged solidarity of the strikers.” Two members of the A.S.R.S. executive were classed as "casuals” on the railways. . "What strikes one os peculiar in regard to railway employees,” mused one in authority yesterday, “is the number of young fellows from the Old Country who are amongst the railway strikers.” “Tn 1915-16 a number of railway workers were, induced to leave their employment for more highly-paid work outside. Even after the war ended they were in no hurrv to return to the service and their places were filled with the men available, a large number being new arrivals. When the slump came, of course, the men who had left the service were sorry, and large numbers tried to get back, hut their

jobs had gone. This was particularly the case with fitters, who, at one time, were very hard to get, hut latterly they were a drug on the labour market.” , “Did the men who have returned vote for the strike?” an official was asked yesterday. ‘‘l don’t think so, he replied; “in fact a number of them did not use the ballot-paper at all, and informed the A.S.R.S. officers on Saturday last that they were returning to work.” COMPLIMENTS FOR RAILWAY DEPARTMENT (To the Editor.) Si r ,_To-day I went to Trcnthain by the 10.15 a.m. train, and I am just writing to say it was indeed a pleasure to travel by the train for once. There was no such thing as opemng ( and banking doors and yelling out AH tickets?’ 'The door was opened and closed quietly and the officer asked civilly (no demand about it) for lire kets please,” and he. got through the carriage in half the time taken by the boys that usually demand the tickets. At the gates it was the same tiling, “politeness,” and I heard no end of passengers remarking on the difference travelling to-day and on the days when the strikers were in charge. The. only thing I am sorry for is that more people did not know aliout the time-table, so that they, too, could have gone to Trcnthain for once in comfort. It is only right that the Railway Department should be given some credit fcr the way they managed things to-day.—l am, etc., A WOMAN. April 26. RAILWAY JOBS WORTH HAVING (To the Editor.) Si r _l think that any fair-minded person reading the present conditions of the railway employees, will be astounded at their demand for an increase in pay which, if given, must be at the expense of the rest of the Dominion. They do not seem to have anv consideration for their fellowworkers, the small farmer wno has to work seven days a week {without the extra day’s pay). . Fortunately we have a Minister who is not scared at the rattling of the scabbard, or will be if the sword is drawn, so mv advice is to “Ca’canny.” If his tail is twisted too much somebody may get scratched. There are hundreds of men in the Dominion who would only be too pleased to take on tho railway job and work 48 hours a week for their own and the country’s benefit. Perhaps this would bs a good time to swap horses.—l am, etc., FIFTY-HOUR WORKER. April 28, 1924.