MINISTER AND MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17456, 28 April 1920, Page 7

MINISTER AND MEN.

EXCHANGE OF TELEGRAMS.

MR. MASSEY'S APPEAL.

"DON'T DISGRACE DOMINION"

[BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER.]

ROTORUA. Tuesday.

Rumours of a possible stoppage of the railways in the midst of the celebrations attendant on the Prince's visit are exciting the keenest interest, as the town is full of people deeply concerned as to the manner of getting away in the event of a strike. The Prime Minister and Minister for Railways was in communication with Mr. McArley, general secretary of the Enginedrivers' Association, during the day, but the position at.the time of writing was uncertain. The first telegram from Mr. McArley to the Minister read as follows — " Locomotive men have unanimously decided to cease work at midnight, Tuesday, 27th inst."'

To this Mr. Masey replied: — " Your telegram received, contents of which I was very sorry to read. I trust that even now wiser counsels may prevail, and that at all. events while our Royal visitor is the guest of New Zealand peace may prevail between the railwaymen and the" State. Anything in the way of a strike just now would be a disgrace to the whole of the Dominion, and more especially to those who have become responsible for it. The fair fame of New Zealand is at stake, and on that account as well as for other reasons 1 appeal to your society to refrain from the contemplated action. The rail waymea of this country have had up to the present a well-earned reputation for .loyalty, and it would be a matter for extreme regret if that reputation were tarnished by the action of any section of railway employees." Later «. telegram from Mr. McArley Ic Mr. Massey read as follows : — "Impossible to hold strike back without your assistance.'' The Minister then addressed' the follow ing telegram to Mr* McArley : — "Your further telegram received. My assistance has so far not been asked for. You even declined to state your grievances to me on the occasion of my recent meet ing with representatives of your society, referring me, when I asked what your troubles were, to the evidence given before Judge Stringer's Board of Inquiry. The responsibility for what may happen is yours, though if I can prevent further trouble I shall be very glad to do anything possible. —W, V. Massey." Late to-night Mr. Massey received the following further telegram from Mr. Levin, the president, and Mr. W. McArley, the secretary of the Locomotive Men's Association: — "Telegram received and in reply I respectfully desire to remind you that you agreed to road the* evidence given by the association before the board, j and which was a very full statement of our troubles. They expected you to read the evidence and go into all the points therein. However, we appreciate your offer and again repeat that we can do nothing further without your assistance." The Minister replied to this as follows — "Replying to your latest telegram may I remind you that it was only when you refused to state your case to the General Manager and myself I said I would read the evidence which was placed before Judge Stringer. I intend to publish the whole of your statement before the board and let the public judge for themselves as to whether you were justified in taking up your present position." The Minister has already- received a large number of offers of assistance from experienced engineers and others to keep the railways of the North Island running well up to ordinary timetables, and it is not considered likely that the public will suffer very seriously even if the men decide to come out.