THREAT BY RAILWAYMEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17275, 26 September 1919, Page 7

THREAT BY RAILWAYMEN.

STRIKE MENACE IN BRITAIN

ULTIMATUM TO GOVERNMENT.

HIGHER WAGES DEMANDED. . By TelosTaoh—Press Association—Copyright. (Received 9 p.m.) A. and X.Z. • LONDON. Sept. 24. The National Union of Railwaymen has rejected the Government', proposals with reference to a revi- ! sion of wages, and has sent an ulti- , matum to the Government, that • unless there is a favourable reply to ] its demands by noon to-morrow the;' men will be ordered to strike. The railwaymen's ultimatum leaves !' it open to the Government either to I declare its willingness to negotiate, ' or to make a fresh wages offer. Newspapers state that the executive ! of the Railwaymen's Union is empowered to call a national strike ! within 24 hours without reference to'' members throughout the country. I Before the issue of the ultimatum ! Mr. J. H. Thomas, secretary of the ' Railwaymen's Union, issued a warn- I ing in regard to the probability of a strike pointing out that the February agreement, which stabilises vases In the inclusion of the war bonus until December, enabled both sides to negotiate a new basis for the standardisation of wages. The Government fully recognised that the revision of wages would be upward. The settlement in the locomotive section is already based on this principle, but the new proposals, after half a year's negotiations, reverse this policy for the other grades.

GOVERNMENT'S REPLY.

BURDEN ON THE PUBLIC. (R*c*>ired 830 p.m.) "'- pr - LOXDON. Sept. 24. The Govertment's reply to the railway-men's ultimatum 'says that the claims of the men are not justified and states that advances of wages of the whole railway staff would involve the companies in additional expenditure of over £45,000,000 annually, compared with pre-war figures. This estimate does not include any portion of the war wage which might be continued under the agreement of last March. It is estimated that other concessions already granted will cost another £20,000,000. The passenger rates have already advanced 50 per cent, in the case of ordinary bookings, and may have to be extended to all passenger fares. Goods rates may also have to be advanced probably over 50 per cent. to meet the increased pay. Such increases must be borne by the community and the country's export trade.

PRIME MINISTER AND CRISIS

SIR E. GEDDES CONSULTED. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. 'Reed. 12.30 a.m) LONDON. Sept. 24. The railwaymen's ultimatum states that the Government offer will ultimately mean such a serious reduction in the pay of many railway workers that it will not allow them to maintain their present standard of life. A conference is proceeding between Sir Erie Geddes, Minister for Transport, and Mr. Lloyd George regarding _ the crisis. Sir Eric Geddes will meet the railwaymen's leaders to-morrow. The Locomotive Engineers' Society and other transport workers' organisations were not aware that the ultimatum was to be issued. There is no indication that these unions will declare a strike. Their abstention will render the success of the railway employees' demands very doubtful.