STRIKE ALLOWANCES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18692, 24 April 1924, Page 8

STRIKE ALLOWANCES.

FUNDS OF THE SOCIETY. NO . LARGE SUM AVAILABLE. EXTENT OP RESOURCES. A thousand railway strikers in Auckland yesterday maintained the initial buoyancy of strike optimism. Rather a different mood was apparent, however among the railwaymen who did not vot« for the strike and could see little prospect of great advantage from a stern struma • with the State. , , The minority may feel bound to accept ' the strike and make the most of it, avert ' though they may find it irksome. But there is no doubt that many railwavmen are now giving serious thought to the economic effects of direct action. There is, for example, the question of strike pay. How long can the funds of the A.S.R.S. last? Can the strikers throughout the Dominion stand a siege ] These questions are being asked, and must grow in importance. The replies do not appear to be convincing. It is stated by tnoso who are in a position to know something about railway unionism that the. funds of the A.S.R.S. are comparatively slender not exceeding a total of £20 000 and probably nearer £15.000. This is a pigeon's nest-egg for 12,000 strikers. It is reported that the strikers are to ' receive a strike allowance of 4s or 5s a day, Sunda; excluded. That, at any rat« Is the pay some of the strikers say they are to receive. If the strike Rhould be protracted, and there is talk that the ' State means to make it a test fight it looks as though financial assistance from - other sources will- be required for the strikers and their families. Whence is it • to come?

. In railway circles there is no enthusiasm in evidence concerning a substantial levy on the L.I.C.A. and the R.O.T. for the strike maintenance of the A.S RS. The Labour Party has pledged its moral support— talk, so far, ; but talk, however eloquent, does net always satisfy the milkman, the butcher, the baker and the man who calls for the rent. The party is building up a fund for the next general election, and may not care to spend what has been collected on political altruism. The Alliance of Labour may be in a -posiwon to act as bankers for the A.S.B R out that, too, is problematical. *' Most of the coalmineru already have been thrown out of employment as a result of the strike. Several mines are closed m both islands, and thus a possible source of revenue for Hie railwav strikers has automatically been blocked bV thejr direct action, Other transport kers in brisk employment may do something for industrial comrades fightinir "political Pharaohs." "gomag Meanwhile the. question of strike nav on a, relatively meagre scale -is cmfe strikers Ctl ° n in th ® ranks of the Arrangements are being made, how- ? v ? r - keep ho men "merry and bright. The Strike Committee is to preKm*! gSgU*"*™*" »■"* «>»«.