RAILWAY, STRIKE

Patea Mail, Volume XLVII, 25 April 1924, Page 3

RAILWAY, STRIKE

MR MASSEY’S APPEAL The following, appeal to the people of the Dominion has been issued by the Prime Minister (Bight Hon. W. F, Massey):— In connection with the present trouble I desire to remind the citizens of the Dominion that the Government have used all reasonable means to settle the difficulty which has now been forced upon us. (I) The Government set up a Wages Board, representative of the A.S. R.S. on one side, and on the other of the Railway management, with an impartial chairman agreed to by both sides. The A.S.R.S. burst that Board up after it had been sitting for several days. of the A.S.R.S. ’ y issued strike notices before half the ‘ “"evidence had been hoard with regard to the claims which they had put forward. (3) They refused to accept the Court of Arbitration and Conciliation, which has long been looked upon as the constitutional method of settling disputes. (4) When arranging details for another Board, which at their own request was intended to be set up, they suddenly broke off negotiations, and announced that unless the Government at once increased their wages all trains would stop at midnight on Monday, April 21st. (5) They chose as the time for striking the dates arranged for the celebrations to welcome the British Fleet, thus seriously interfering with a great occasion, and disappointing many thousands of citizens, especially school children, who had intended to bo present. By the strike being declared it has now become a question whether this country is to be governed by constitutional methods or by direct action. I appeal to all citizens, especially owners of motor cars and motor wagons, to assist the Government in carrying «n the business of the country and so minimise the loss and inconvenience which must result as the outcome of the unwise and precipitate actions of the leaders of the rail way men, actuated, I have no doubt, by influences behind them which do not appear on the surface. (Signed) W. F. MASSEY, Prime Minister.

WHO ARE THE STRIKERS? Those who* are participating in the strike, and those who arc not,' are as follow: STEIKEBS Porters, shunters, guards, signalmen, train examiners, storemen, shod hands, apprentices, platelayers, gangers, carpenters, blacksmiths, litters, bricklayers, electricians, nightwatchmen, bridge and cross-ing-keepers. NON-STEIKEES Engine-drivers, firemen, cleaners, clerks, stationmasters, goods and coaching foremen, LIMITED TRAIN SERVICE Two trains have been running between New Plymouth and Wanganui since the strike commenced. A mail train left New Plymouth at 8.15 p.m. for Wanganui on Wednesday, takingpassengers and mails, returning in the afternoon with a southern mail.

WILL P. AND T. STRIKE BALLOT TO BE TAKEN ON TWO ISSUES It is stated that members of the Post and Telegraph Department are now awaiting the further decision of the P. and T. Association's General Executive with regard to their attitude on the strike question. The ultimate decision will be made by ballot at an early date, although the papers ( have not yet been received. The issues involved are twofold, involving a readiness to strike, and also that of financially assisting the railwayman. A DASTARDLY ACT RAILWAY LINES GREASED A dastardly act was perpetrated yesterday, when the railway line on the Westmere Hill was for some distance coated thickly, with grease. Fortunately the deed was discovered by a patrol on a jigger, and the grease removed before the arrival of the mail train. Had a train attempted to descend the hill before the grease was discovered, the slippery rails would have rendered the action of the brakes useless-, and in all probability a serious accident would have resulted. Occurrences of this nature will tend to still further aleniate public sympathy from the strikers’ cause. SHORTAGE OF COAL The local Freezing Works have decided to suspend killing operations during the continuance of the strike, in order to conserve the stocks of coal in hand. Fortunately, the engineer, Mr F. Naismith, had arranged for a good supply some time ago, and consequently has plenty on hand for some time, but it is deemed advisable to suspend killing, as the duration of the strike cannot be accurately gauged. Dairy factories in the district who rely on coal in place of firewood arc also husbanding their fuel supplies. Cars are distributing goods between Hawera and Wanganui, and arc also taking a limited number of passengers.