Britain's Railwaymen.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 20, 7 January 1920, Page 5

Britain's Railwaymen.

MOMENTOUS HAPPENINCB. IN NEXT FEW DAYS. GREAT TUSSLE EXPECTED. BETWEEN MODERATES AND EXTREMISTS, ißy Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 7, 9.10.) 'Loudon, Jan 5. The peace of the rail way-world depends on the happenings of the next few days. Trade union leaders are divided as regards the outcome of the task of Mr J. H. Thomas and his associates, that is to persaude the delegates to accept the Government’s offer. They will exert the utmost pressure to secure a favourable verdict, and as a last resort will try to get a postponement of the final decisions.

Delegates will lie given every opportunity to discuss the details. The conference may last hree days. The greatest tussle between extremists and moderates is anticipated. In the event of another crisis the executive may resort to a ballot. Public opinion is freely expressed that the men would be unwise to reject the offer. Meanwhile the extremists’ standpoint is that they won the last strike, and they are of opinion that they could win another.

Opposition to the offer is based on the general desire to press for the original demand, namely, that the 43/per week bonus should be added to the highest rate of pay of each grade, and the total made the permanent standard rate on the ground that these have already been conceded to, the drivers and firemen. —(A. and N.Z. and Reuter). [The delegates’ conference with the Government resulted in a further increase of the war bonus by five shillings weekly, making it 38/- in all grades until September, when it will be periodically increased or reduced by one shilling for every five per cent, increase or reduction on the cost ot living, but wages plus bonus permanently remain at least double the prewar wages. Thus the lowest paid porter will receive 56/- weekly until September compared with 18/- prewar. The subsequent minimum must never fall below 49/-.]

TERMS REJECTED. BY MAJORITY OF BRANCHES. (Received 7, 9-q5-) London, Jan. 5. Twenty-three branches of railwaymen up to the present have rejected the new terms, and only two have accepted. —(A. and N.Z.)