THE RAILWAYMEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 11 April 1924, Page 5

THE RAILWAYMEN

PROCEEDINGS BREAK DOWN

A SERIOUS POSITION After the Railway Wages Board had •resumed yesterday afternoon it was announced that the proceedings had been abortive, no agreement having been reached. on the question of wages and hours in the Railway Service. It is understood, states the Post, that three separate reports will be presented to the Minister from the chairman (Mr H. D. Acland), the representative of the (Department,* and the representative of the A.S.R.S. The position in the service is now likely to be serious. Regret was expressed by the A.S.R.S. representatives that the Wages Board, as constituted, was not the form of tribunal which it desired. It is understood, adds the Post, that strike notices have been distributed to members of the A.S.R.S.

(United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day

Interviewed last night on the subject of the breakdown of the Wages the Minister of Railways said lie had" received a report of the chairman of the Wages Board, but had not had any reports from either the Departmental or the A.S.R.S. representatives on the Board. Until he had had an opportunity of considering the three reports he could not make any statement on the matter.

MR VEITCH’S VIEWS

WILL ADVISE AGAINST A STRIKE

WANGANUI, This Day In view of the deadlock between the A.S.R.S. and the Wages Board and the possibility of serious developments Mr Veitch M.P., who is a past president and one of the first members of the A.SJR.S., left for Wellington by to-day’s express. ' Asked if he had anything to cay oil the subject, Mr Veitch replied that lie was not 'disposed to discuss the matters'in dispute, fearing that anything he might say might increase the difficulties in securing a settlement. But he would unhesitatingly advise the railwaymen not to go on strike, because he realised that such action on their part would alienate the public confidence and sympathy which they now possess to a great extent, and which they cannot afford to lose in their present time of trouble. ATTITUDE OF OFFICERS’ INSTITUTE ; / WELLINGTON, This Day. Mr R. C. Morgan, secretary to the Railway Officers’ Institute, said he had no statement to make regarding the railway crisis. In reply to a question be said it was quite* possible that in the event, of a strike the Institute would •adopt the same attitude as on a previous occasion, of refusing to carry out any second division work.