AUCKLAND ENGINEDRIVERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18694, 28 April 1924, Page 8

AUCKLAND ENGINEDRIVERS

NO CHANGE IN POLICY. RELIANCE ON HEADQUARTERS. " You hold the key to the situation," was the burden of the address delivered on Friday by Mr. J. Purtell to a meeting of about 120 onginedrivers, firemen, and cleaners, over which Mr. G. Haynes presided. The meeting, which was held in the Auckland engine-shed, lasted about 3£ hours. The situation, as it affects the members of the E.F.C.A., was discussed by the meeting before Mr. Purtell arrived. The proceedings were in private, but it is understood that Mr. Purtell, speaking from the point of view of a labour organiser for outside unions, desired the locomotive men to strike with the other railway workers. While the meeting fully appreciated his allusion to the locomotive meu as holding the key position at the moment they refused to down tools," and their decision was that they would abide by the orders issued by their executive at Wellington. No resolution was passed on Mr. Purtell's address, but it was decided to communicate with the executive, asking that the grand council of the E.F.CVA. bo called together promptly to discuss all points arising out of the present situation. Although so many locomotive men are now off their usual duties there is no idleness in the sheds. About 80 engines are not running, and a host of small, but necessary, jobs are being done on these. The firemen are cleaning up the cabs and the engines generally are receiving sued attention as they need.