DESCRIBED AS CRUEL SLANDER

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 101, 23 January 1942, Page 8

DESCRIBED AS CRUEL SLANDER

Report Of Threatened Railway Strike MR. SEMPLE’S STATEMENT OF POSITION (Bj Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, January 22. Au emphatic denial to reports stil persisting that holiday railway travel was restricted irecause of a threatened strike of employees of the Kailways D(» partment was given in an interview today by the Minister of Railways, Mr. Semple. He characterized the reports as a cruel slander on a loyal body of men. He added that “We know when these rumours are broadcast that they' come from a treacherous few and not the. great bulk of the good citizens of New Zealand.”

Another report which the Minister also denied was that the shortage of coal stocks was an additional cause of the restrictions. “To say that a strike was imminent at Christmas is an infamous untruth,” declared Mr. .Semple. ‘‘There is not a vestige of truth in the rumours. Railwaymen have been fighting to get the lower-paid men lifted. The men had a legitimate grievance and they went the constitutional way- about it. Their grievances have been recognized and they will be rectified. I have never denied recognition of their grievances. When I became Minister of Railways, I was approached by the men’s representatives, and 1 frankly confessed that they had a case, that it would be sympathetically considered, and that an adjustment would be made when the finances of the country permitted it. The Prime Minister has made an announcement that the position will be adjusted.” There had not been the faintest sign of a strike, said .Mr. Semple. From what he knew of the railwaymen, they would not dream of forcing a general strike on the nation at a critical time in its history. Ninety-nine per cent, of the men working on the railways and in the railway workshops were honest, loyal New Zealanders. A total of 4000 men was away fighting and the E.P.S. organizations in the workshops were a credit to New Zealand. At the Hutt and Addington shops, men had attended on their days off to give inspiring demonstrations of E.P S. work and a reception given him when he spoke to them on the dangers facing New Zealand could leave no doubt about their intense loyalty. A more intelligent, sensible, reliable ami loyal body of citizens could not be found anywhere.

“The curtailment of traffic was designed to prevent congestion in the cities and on the railway lines,” said Mr. .Semple. “When the Japanese came into the war, we did not know what was going to happen and we don’t know now. It was estimated that at Christmas 'time Auckland, for one city, would have a population 10,000 greater than in ordinary times. The north is the most vulnerable spot for an attack. Just imagine what would have happened had an attack come to Auckland witli all those visitors there. It would have been one of the greatest calamities to overcome any city. If we had aliowefl that to 'happen, we would have deserved '-ourt-martialling and shooting.” Coal Supply Question. Another stupid statement which had been circulating was that the shortage of coal was another reason why travel was restricted, said Mr. .Semple. Coal was not in over-supply but the coal question would not have stopped Christmas traffic. It was certainly true that the department wanted all the coal it could get but ample stocks were available to meet any heavy traffic demands. The stock situation was watched from day to day. Enemy At Front Gate. If persons thought about their country seriously, said Mr. Semple, they would not circulate disruptive rumours to brand men in workshops, who were working hard and working long hours, as strike promoters and guilty of treachery or disloyalty. It was grossly unfair. The railwaymen were conscious of the danger, doing all they were asked to do and were prepared to do more. To say those men would swing a strike on New Zealand was an infamous falsehood and slander on their loyalty and character.

“We had the terrible spectacle of Honolulu where the people were attacked without notice and of simultaneous attacks all over the Pacific,” continued Mr. Semple. "We do not know when our turn will come. Anybody ,wbo knows anything about the international situation ■ realizes that the enemy is at our front gate. Tet when we try to protect tlie lives and property of the people, innuendoes are cast at us by a few. Holiday travel restrictions were a protective measure and were not brought about by any threats by railwaymen, no matter what a disruptive few say. We are going to do the best we can to protect the lives of people in this country. It is our job and our duty irrespective of what people might say about us.”