TELEGRAMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 8, 9 July 1909, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

c RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' SOCIETIES. REPLY TO A STATEMENT. [BY TELEGRAPH — SPECIAL TO THE POST.] CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Replying to the statements of the president of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the president of the Drivers' Association says that he takes strong objection to Mr. Vnitch's method of attack. "In the last issue of the Railway Record, the Amalgamated Society's official organ," said Mr. Brown, "Mr. Veilch made statements that were absolutely incorrect. He ' said that the engine-drivers, firemen, and cleaners were forming a society to act in conjunction with the Amalgamated Society, and he mentioned that circulars to that effect had been sent out by tho association. I absolutely contradict that. I have been connected with the society continually since its inception,- and no such circular has been sent out by any responsible person. If it was sent out, it was by some irresponsible person, and should have no official recognition. As far as the engine-drivers are concerned, we have now eighteen branches, and in the last return of membership there were 954 names. We hope that the next return will show an increase to over a thousand. You will see by the resolutions that are being passed all over New Zealand that our members have absolute confidence in our association, and absolutely none in the Amalgamated Society. We have issued three pamphlets giving the aims of the association. All 'hat we want is the right to look after our affairs. We assisted to build up the Amalgamated Society, but do not want, any of it. We Avant the society to it ok after its own business, and to leave us alone. Of course, we will assist fie society, and work with it whenever v.c can for the benefit of both organisations, but we want to go our own w ly. 'die Amalgamated Society is selfish, and it is composed ol too many trades and callings to hope to be successful. '*