THE AUCKLAND MEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18690, 22 April 1924, Page 8

THE AUCKLAND MEN.

NOTIFICATION OF STRIKE. "SOLID STAND" CLAIMED. STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL. AWAITING DEVELOPMENTS. "The strike begins at midnight."" declared an official of the Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants last night, "and you can state definitely that over 90 per cent, of the railwaymen in this district "will support their executive to the last ditch."

This official explained that the city branch alone consisted of 800 members, who would bo directly concerned in the strike, and could hi depended upon to support the decision of the execute at Wellington. In addition, there are over 300 members at Newmarket, and several hundred more at Huntly, Mercer, Frankion and other centres. "They are all solid in this business," he added. "The tronbta has been in the way for nearly 15 month?, and it is time that a definite settlement was forced. The Government has humbugged us long enough, and the manner in which it conducted the final negotiations has shown i f s real policy toward the lower ranks at the railway service. It will be a long time before tho men -will forget the display propaganda against the A.S.R.S. and the- socrot circulars issued for purely political purposes. These werp unfair, and represented unprecedented tactics on the jiajri of an Administration that is supposed to. stand for conciliation. But the political aspect may be left for future consideration. The" dispute has developed into a fight.. We are solid. That is all I have to say just now."

Committee to be Formed. The Auckland secr>stary of the A.S.R.S., Sir. C. Dawson, said that until full information had been received from headquarters there was very little to say about the position. The necessary arrangements for giving effect to tha considered decisions of the executive would be made in Auckland. No strike committees bad yet been formed, but there would be no difficultly about arranging a.strong organisation. \ The men for that duty were available. "It is likely," added Mr. Dawson. ** that if it be necessary, a meeting will be held in the Trades Hall to-morrow morning at 9 o'olock when the whole position will be discussed and all the necessary arrangements made. Meanwhile we can only await developments." Running of Night Trains. There was a great deal of - anxious speculation among the thousands of passengers who thronged the central station last night as to whether the Main Trunk express trains would bo held up on the way to Wellington. Their perturbation appeared to fee unnecessary, although natural in the circumstances, since precedents in other countries were cited with some emphasis by those who contemplated the worst features of a railway strike.

As a matter of fact the A.S.R.S. officials had received definite instructions to run night trains to their destination. The following telegram from headquarters was received by the Auckland executive late in the evening: — •' Executive instructs all members to cease work at midnight to-day 21st inst. Trains to be allowed to ran to destination only. Signed Mack." Members of the A.S.K.S. stated emphatically last night that every effort would be made by pickets to prevent possible black-legging. A meeting of the main Auckland branch, which does not include the Newmarket men, will be held in the Trades' Hall this morning at 9 o'clock.