RAILWAY WAGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24758, 4 December 1943, Page 8

RAILWAY WAGES

THE AUCKLAND DEMAND WELLINGTON COMMENTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday

The head office representatives of the four railway organisations in Wellington were asked to-day to comment on the Auckland railwayman's request that joint wages and, other claims be presented to the Government, and that a strike ballot be taken if the claims were not met in full. In the case of the Amalgamated Society of- Railway Servants, it was stated that negotiations were still proceeding, and that the national president, Mr. J. H. Terry, Frankton Junction, had arrived in Wellington to continue the talks. A similar statement was made on behalf of the Railway Tradesmen's Association, and it_ was added that finality on the points at issue was hoped for very shortly. Arrangements would be made for the national president. Mr. W. J. Tegg, of Auckland, to come to Wellington if necessary. A spokesman for the Railway Officers' Institute said: "We do not know here what was discussed in Auckland, and so far as we are concerned we have no claims that have reached the stage where drastic action would be necessary." Mr. T. H. Stephenson, general secretary of the Locomotive Engineers,_ Firemen and Cleaners' Association, said the wage question had held an important place in the discussions at the association's conference three weeks ago, when it was decided to ask the Government to set up a commission to go into the wages and conditions of locomotive men. The matter was still under negotiation. GENEROUS GIFTS THE PATRIOTIC FUND TECHNICAL COLLEGE PUPILS Pupils of the Seddon Memorial Technical College are maintaining their record for large-scale generous support of patriotic appeals, and the funds of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Crippled Children's Society. A cheque for £SOO, the same amount as last year, was given yesterday to Mr. F. N. Ambler, chairman of the 1943 Patriotic Appeal Committee. The gift was handed to Mr. Ambler by the head girl, Betty Ah Chee, and the head boy of the college, Kerry Jackson, who made a brief speech expressing the pleasure it had given the pupils to contribute the money. Mr. Ambler said ■ the committee was most grateful to receive such a substantial contribution. t For the funds of the Crippled Children's Society, the pupils also had yesterday a cheque for £IOO. A bring-and-buy sale organised to aid both funds produced £260. During the past three years, the pupils have raised £1350 for patriotic funds and £450 for the Crippled Children's Society, a total of £IBOO. ' FRACAS AT PARTY SAMOANS. IN TROUBLE A christening party at Point Chevalier on the night of September* 11 had a sequel yesterday, when three Samoans appeared before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., each facing three charges of assault. The accused, all of whom pleaded not guilty, and for whom Mr. Allan J. Moody appeared, were William Bentley, aged 19, Alex Schuster, aged 31, and Frank Schuster, aged 25, a soldier on furlough from the Middle East. F. Schuster was also charged with committing mischief by breaking a pane of glass in the door of the house where ,the party was held. Evidence was given that the three accused became involved in a brawl with some servicemen during the party, and after leaving the house they assaulted a young couple who were waiting in a street for a taxi. The magistrate said he had seen too many young people from Samoa in the Court, and he did not want to see so many. The case he was more particularly concerned about was in regard to the two innocent people, who had had nothing to do with the party. Strictly speaking, the accused should all go to prison, but he would put each on probation for 12 months, a special term being that they were to take out prohibition orders. Frank Schuster was ordered to make restitution for damage to the door, amounting to £3 los. DUTCH CELEBRATIONS Members of the Dutch community m Auckland and guests will celebrate St. Nicholas' Night at a gathering at the Y.W.C.A. on Monday night. St Nicholas' Night in Holland has always been a great festival for children, and special arrangements for the entertainment of children have been made for Monday' 6 celebrations. The proceeds from the gathering, which is being sponsored by the Consul for the Netherlands, Captain F. Bauer, will go to the Netherlands Soldiers and Sailors' Fund. An American military band will play and there will be Dutch songs and dances