A.S.R.S. PROTESTS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14007, 11 March 1920, Page 8

A.S.R.S. PROTESTS.

MR MASSEY'S REPLY

PROTEST BY OAMARU BRANCH. At a meeting or the Oamaru Branch of the-A.S.R.S., held last evening, at was unanimously deckled to reject Mr Justice Stringer's report. Tht* following resolution was also carried : — "That the Executive he empowered to use every endeavor to get -the men's .demands' conceded, fading which a secret ballot he taken of the whole of the members of the Society to decide whether the' members should adopt thy go-slow policy or resort to a strike." (Per Press Association.) - 'WELLINGTON, March 11). The Wellington Railway Officers' Institute, alter consideration of the published decision of Mr Justice Stringer, upon the railway officers' claims, refuses to accept the proffered bonus of £ls. The institute describes the offer as a direct insult to the railway officers. Objection is also made to the offer of £7 10s to single officers. Nothing but the original claims will he accepted, says the institute.- ■-• An important statement was issued by the Minister of .Railways to-day. • 'Mr Massey said that Justice Stringer's report is now the/ subject of adverse criticism by some of the men, for whose benefit the Board, over which he presided, was set up. "Surely every thinking memlier of .tlio community will agree with me in saying," |M'r Massey said, "tha.fr the time has now arrived when a pause must be called, and the whole positioii seriously considered. The pre-war rates for passenger traffic have already been materially increased and an impost of 210 per cent, has been levied in re* spect of the bulk of the' goods traffic. In order to stabilise the finances of the Railway tJepaitment. and meet the further increase in wages and salaries, recommended in Mr Justice Stringer's' report, and the very serious advance in the prices of all railway material and .stores, a further increase of 4 per cent, will require to be' inn do in fares and rates. The Government is exceedingly anxious to do everything possible for the members of tiie Public Service, whether in the Railway or any other' Department, hut at a time like this, following the cessation of war. expenditure,'we must look, forward to" a period of considerable; financial stringency, and as a conse-, (,uenee we require to be more than; usually careful."

TXVERCARGILL, March 10

At a meeting of the Inxercargill bgpnch of the A.S.R.S. to-night, ijenernl dissatisfaction was expressed with the Wages Board's decision regarding, the bonus., and the failure to ; recdni-i mend an alteration -in the working hours and renditions. A vote of all the members of the. branch will be .taken, o-r the subject. "--