THE RAILWAY SERVANTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8364, 18 September 1890, Page 5

THE RAILWAY SERVANTS

THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE EXECUTIVE. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS association.] Wellington, Wednesday. Mr. Edwards, secretary of the Railway Society, telegraphed yesterday to the Railway Commissioners ;—" The Executive is desirous to confer with the Commissioners, with a view to bringing the present unsatisfactory state of suspense in connection with the railway servants to a satisfactory conclusion, and if possible to ask for agreements for the reinstatement of the men called out. Will the Commissioners receive the deputation from the Executive, and when r The Commissioners replied today: " Railway Commissioners gather your Executive desires the reinstatement of the men whom you ordered out at Lyttelton and Westport, and who left without giving notice in terms of engagement required, and who, after twelve hours for consideration, finally declined to obey the rules of the service. If the Commissioners agreed to this there is no guarantee that at any future time your executive might not call out the men to demand their reinstatement when it suited your convenience, and no limit is likely to be fixed to the magnitude and number of such strikes or to the public loss and inconvenience. The Commissioners cannot agree to such a mischievous precedent, and cannot reinstate your men, who have broken faith with them upon your orders. After the attempt which you have made to paralyse the public service and introduce into it illegal and disorderly practices the Commissioners decline to meet you or further discuss this matter with you." The Railway Commissioners have issued a circular to all employes in which the decision not to reinstate the men is emphasised.