SETTLEMENT WITH A.S.R.S.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVII, Issue 17459, 1 May 1920, Page 7

SETTLEMENT WITH A.S.R.S.

TEEMS AGREED UPON. MEN ACCEPT TRIBUNAL. AN IMPARTIAL CHAIRMAN'. WELLINGTON MEN SATISFIED. [BY TELEGEArH. — COKaESPoSDFNT.] WELLINGTON', Friday. The decision of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' executive to call the strike off was reported to members of the traffic branch at Lambton station and Thorndon station ea.r'y this afternoon. The men were told in effect that the Government and the executive had agreed to refer the dispute lo a tribunal consist, ing of three representatives of each side, with an impartial chairman to be beleot-d by the delegates. This tribunal would '»> constituted within seven days, and would make recommendations for the settlement of the dispute without prejudice to the right of the men to resume their strike in the event of no satisfactory settlement, being reached. Soma of the members of the traffic branch showed a disposition to question th B decision, in view of the. fact that the locomotive men were still on strike-. They were told that, the settlement had the endorsement of the Transport Workers' Federation, and that any member of the A.S.R.S. who refused to take up hi.ordinary duties wo»id not receive tho support of his organisation. They "ere also told that sufficient time would bo allowed, before any penalties were enforced, for information regarding; the set tlement to reach the outside districts. The Lambton and Thorndon branches endorsed the settlement practically unanimously. During the evening a reporter interviewed several members of the traffic branch and found them unanimously determined to support their executive. I " We had the facts put before us today," said one man "Letters were read to "us showing that the A.S.R.S. executive and the Transport Federation executive had asked the locomotive men's execute, to co-operate in a settlement. The locomotive men refused all co-operation, lhey said they were going on their own, and that they did not want any help. They intended" to settle their own strike. Our executive has accepted that, and has made a settlement, and our duty now is to stand by that settlement. I am prepared to work any train that is run, no matter who is on the engine, and that is the attitude of the other members. As far .is 1 can learn, if the locomotive men wanted our spppurt it would be a different matter. ««jt they sav thev don't. They have re fused to link up with the Transport Workers' Federation, with which our society is affiliated, and they regard them selves as separate from ail the rest of us.