THE RAILWAY SERVANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8355, 8 September 1890, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS

A GENERAL STRIKE UNLIKELY. A CIRCULAR FROM THE COMMISSIONERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.SPECIAL REPORTER.] Wellington, Sunday. I hear that many of tho railway men are shaking themselves free of their bonds, and that a general railway strike is now utterly unlikely, while if so mad a step were taken all tho strikers would merely find themselves out of work, their places being promptly filled up. It is hardly possible now that anything like a general paralysis of the railway service can take place. The following circular was issued by tho Railway Commissioners yesterday to all their employees throughout tho colony :— "The Railway Commissioners have found with regret that some of their employees have been persuaded to act recklessly and foolishly in disobeying orders, and that they have broken faith by refusing to observe tho rules of their engagement. The Commissioners desire to remind all their employees that the only condition on which they can be employed as public servants on Government railways is that they strictly obey tho rules and regulations made under the authority of the laws of the colony. Those employees who cannot conscientiously continue to obey the rules are advised to give notice in a proper and orderly manner, and resign their places. Those who, as heretofore, do their duty as public servants faithfully and loyally will have the entire support and assistance of the Commissioners in any difficulties which may arise." INvErcarglLL, Sunday. There was a special meeting of tho local branch of tho Railway Service Association last night, but nothing has been made public as to thoir doings. Tho general impression is that the men on the Southland section aro rather lukewarm on the subject of a strike in support of the present labour trouble.

The ordinary meeting of tho Amalgamated Railway Servants was held on Saturday evening, at tho Britomart Hotel. There were about fifty present. A good deal of correspondence was submitted and dealt with. A telegram was read from tho head executive, intimating that a levy of half-a-day's pay had been struck for the support of the Maritime Council anil of the strike. One member was elected. The secretary desires us to contradict the statemenu that the majority of the men on the Auckland section were against a strike. On the reporter desiring to be furnished with the actual return of the balloting, the secretary declined to accede to tho request. Ho said he had the return, but ho would not disclose it without the authority of the head exccubivo.