OUR MAIL BAG

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1941, Page 8

OUR MAIL BAG

Miners’ Train Service

To the Editor, “The Magazine Page.’’ Dear Sir, — Our State Miners’ correspondent, Mr tV. O’Neill states that the back-shift and wet-time trains are now running to schedule. The speeding-up of these trains is satis fying a long-felt want. This is quite correct. However, may I point out it is not, as it seems, due to the efforts of Mr Semple. Our thanks are due more to the miners through their unity and organisation. For years efforts have been made by our union officials to improve the miners’ train service. This was brought to a head during the time lost through slips and redtape methods of the Railways Department a few months back. A special masp-meeting was held to finalise

matters. As a result, a conference was held at Mr Semple’s direction, between the State Mines Department, railway officials, and our union. The result was the running of a night train for the Liverpool and Strongman back-shift men, with an agreement to speed up the wet-time train from Rewanui. The latter agreement was not adhered to by the Railways Department, and six weeks later a stop-work meeting was held at the Liverpool mine over the wet-time train. The men, standing solid, stopped work. Since that day the trains have been running to schedule, due in the main to the strength of our union. We certainly thank the Minister and the railway’s officials for courtesies extended to our union representatives. (Signed) R. STEELE: