CASE FOR THE MEN.

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

CASE FOR THE MEN.

PRESIDENT'S REVIEW. REASONS FOR ACTION. DISPUTE OVER CHAIRMAN. JUDGE OR MAGISTRATE. A FAILURE TO AGREE. [BY TELEGRAPH.PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON. Monday. The president of the A.S.R.S., Mr. M. Connelly, to-nigh* l road© the. following statement regarding the position of the railwaymen : — l "The negotiations with the Government which led up to the present dispute commenced in February, 1923, when a request was made for- the reinstatement of the 'cuts' made in the wages of the men in the second division, of Is 8d per day, without definite result. Subsequently a petition was presented to the Railways Committee of the House of Representatives asking for the reinstatement of the 'cuts' mentioned, and the petition was referred to the Government for consideration.

"Following on the fact that nothing was done in response to that recommendation, a further request was made to the Minister in November last and tho seriousness of the position: was stressed by the representatives of the society on that occasion. Tho Minister for Railways then promised to look into tho matter and reply at an early dat«, yet when the society's executive mot in February last no reply as promised was to band. It was then seen that the question was taking a serious turn and a deputation from the executive waited on the Minister and again urged the gravity of the situation likely to arise unless tho restoration of the pay deducted was conceded. An appeal was made to him for an early reply. Setting Up a Wages Board. " The Minister explained that ho was anxious to complete his tour of the South Island before dealing with the matter, and asked for further time before giving his answer. This was agreed to by the society's executive, although they believed sufficient time had already elapsed for the Minister to arrive at a conclusion on the plain request made to him. He promised that on his return from tho South Island he would make a straightout proposal on the wages question. " When they met the Minister after his return no proposal was made other than a request to agree to an extension of working hours, which, of course, the A.S.R.S. did not stand for. After some discussion it was agreed that the whole matter should be referred to a wages board.

" When the board was set up it was understood the chairman should act as a mediator with power to decide any question on which there was a difference of opinion between members of the board. Shortly after the proceedings of the board commenced, the chairman clearly indicated he did not intend to take up the position of mediator between the parties as would be borne out by a perusual of the official report. The fact of the representatives of the society refusing to go on with the other 72 remits had no bearing at all on the chairman's attitude in regard to his position of mediator. Under such conditions tho wages board could not help but fail. Offer to the Chairman, " The proceedings of the board were spread over a period of nearly three weeks and there was a full and free discussion on every aspect of the wages question by both sides so that we could not understand the inability of the chairman to make a decided recommendation on the matter. Although we could see clearly the uselessness of attempting to deal with the other points at issue, in order that the public should bo fully seized with the distance the society was prepared to go to meet the position an offer was made to the chairman of the, board to withdraw all the conditions he said were standing in the way of a settlement on the wages question in order to allow of the matter being dealt with. This offer on our part was not taken advantage of.

"It was at this stage that the chairman brought down a draft report on the wages question in which it was to be plainly seen he had no intention of making a definite declaration on wages. Again at this stage, in order to bring about a settlement we made an offer to withdraw our specific claim for an increase of 2s 6d a day and allow the amount to be decided by the board, but that offer was not accepted and it was only to be seen that the further prolonging of proceedings would be waste of time.

" I mention these facts to show that notwithstanding what might be said every opportunity was taken to bring about an amicable settlement of the difficulty. Finding all our efforts useless it was decided as a final resort to refer the matter to our members, they being vitally concerned in the resub of the negotiations. Result cf the Ballot. " A ballot was taken, and 81 per cent, voted in favour of a cessation of work if demands were not conceded. While the ballot was being taken the executive made further application to the Government for a straight-out increase in wages without result. "On Saturday representatives of the society approachet 1 the Minister for Railways'and asked that a new wages board be set up on Monday or not later than Tuesday, with Mr. Barton, S.M., of Wanganui, as chairman, and one representative from each side, Mr. Barton being one of the names submitted by the Government as chairman of the previous hoard. In reply to that the Government offered a new wages board with a Judge of the Supreme Court presiding, but the society had already declined to agree to such an appointment on the previous board and further no 'guarantee was forthcoming as to when the board would be set up, although the Prime Minister said as early as possible. I wish to emphasise the point that when we said we were willing to accept as chairman the gentleman nominated by the' Government for the previous board they .shifted their ground, and our offer was declined, the reason given being that it was too big a job for him. and besides, it was stated he was not available. " Two Issues at Stake' »

"The Government also failed to realise the urgency of the question, and put forward reasons why the board could not commence its sitting •< i Monday or Tuesday. In view of the luct that the society agreed to go through all matters likely to have a bearing on wages, it was not considered the Government was making a general attempt to meet the men's claims, and it was consequently decided to put the mandate of the members into operation at midnight. "There are two big issues we are fighting for," concluded Mr. Connelly, "the right of the worker to secure a minimum wage on which he and his family can live decently, and the retention of "the forty-four-hours •week*.'* ■