RAILWAYS DISPUTE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18685, 15 April 1924, Page 10

RAILWAYS DISPUTE.

J „_ ..... -:... . u—«• — (HOPES TOB SETTLEMENT .'FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS. , SUGGESTION BY A.S.R.S. COMPROMISE ON WAGE ISSUE HOURS QUESTION THE ORUX. MR. MASSEY APPROACHED. [BY. ' TELEGRAPH. —OWN COKRSSrcnTORNT.] i;; i.,; v . ■ «•■<•*• ; -'.- WELLINGTON. Mcnday. -* 'There have been no fresh developments in the' railway dispute to-day, and the *situation ;is somewhat' confused. /; The position is' admittedly delicate, but within the next 24 hours there should be 'some.

tangible indication of what the course of 'events in the immediate future is going to be. ' ''"''.■!. ;' ~""',■ "/■<''■■-

Meanwhile the A.&R-S. strike ballot v is 'proceeding and to-morrow morning the Alliance labour, with which the A.S.R.S. is affiliated, will meet to con- ' sider what action shall be taken in sup- ' port of the railwaymen. \ ' • '*' The ' hope is entertained that, even though the first wages board broke down ; the questions in dispute will yet bo amicably settled by reference to another '•'''bojord.'^'*'''' -^There- is some possibility— a

remote 6ha™-4hat the executive of the : A.6J&.8. will meet the Minister for Railways this afternoon to discuss the situa'tion.■" f-r-' •.. *'"

'' The pivotal point in the situation has reference to the hoars question. Appw- , ently the : A.S.R.C. is determined to, oppose any extension from 44 hoars to 48 hours per -week, and the Minister and department are certain that it is imposing "to conduct an." efficient service and give concessions to the public on anything less. i If a break finally comes it will bo over the hours issue. M *. There seems to hare,been soma sug- ' gestion made for referring the dispute . to another board, but a point yet to be made clear is whether the A.S.R.S. -will still- insist on the question of wages being decided before other matters are dealt with. ;',"'"'■/ '" '■;. <f -. .

;_•? The prospects for the immediate future .. are very uncertain, but people V who contemplate going away for Easter should know in a day or two what chances they will have of being able Ito use the rail- % ways. v 'V;. ; ,:K A ;<-•■■-._ >'''-•-' '--■;' -v y v « What -causes : the uncertainty is the ■ r waiting game each side is apparently playing. '" Each party appear* to regard the nest move as being due to come from the other side. .' <vi To-day fllr. M. i Connelly, president of the A.S.R.S., stated that ,a deputation ■ '■'■ from .• -'the "executive had waited on the Prime Minister on Saturday and asked him for an ' increase in wages. It *as >^ c pointed.^ oat to Mr. Massey^that c a' dead- *" lock . had arisen. ' "He discussed th* "' matter with* us ; at some length," added ■'7Mr. Connelly, "and said he would refer it to Cabinet. '"* •' ' -_"" , v£ iv *«We definitely refused to go back to '•the 4&hpnr week, but stated thaV' we were 'prepared to negotiate without adhering to the demand for an increase .of 2s I'* €<f a day. The society expects the next move to come from' the Prime Minister s Jn the form ;of a reply to the deputa- ' j tion." ;, • ■ - '• -