THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15175, 14 December 1912, Page 7

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

CASE AGAINST KNOX.

EVIDENCE OF DRUNKENNESS

FRUITLESS CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph.— Proas Association.—Copyright. '.Received December 13, 11.5 p.m.)

London, December 13. The strike of raihvaymen on the North-Eastern Railway Company's lines is still unsettled.

Witnesses who gave evidence yesterday at the Home Office inquiry into the condition of Knox, ' over whose reduction in rank the strike arose, repeated their allegations of drunkenness.

Eight policemen, an inspector and two 'bus conductors ,■ stated that Knox was drunk. There- were some minor contradictions in the evidence. The conference between the company and the men lasted 12 hours, but was without result.

The company is willing to reinstate Knox if Mr. Chester Jones (the presiding magistrate) finds that the conviction was not justified, and is willing to withdraw the summonses issued against the men claiming damages for leaving work without notice.

A deadlock has arisen owing to the refusal of the company to dismiss the volunteers who went to work during the strike. The men who have been promoted must, it is contended, remain in their new rank.

The difficulty is purely one of principle. Probably only about 50 of the strikers will be compelled to await vacancies if the strike is declared off.