STRIKE NOT SETTLED

Southland Times, Issue 18810, 1 May 1920, Page 5

STRIKE NOT SETTLED

Premier and the Enginemen

m ABORTIVE CONFERENCE

Settlement with AS.R.S.

The hopes entertained on Thursday night of the successful outcome of the

Prime Minister s conferences with the striking railway unions were doomed to

disappointment so far as the E.F.C-A. vas concerned. After Mr Massey and the

representatives of the A.S.R.S. had reached an understanding terminating the

strike of that body of workers, his conference with the KJ.CA, broke down,

and no arrangements have been made for its resumption.

(Per United Press Association.)

THE WELLINGTON CONFERENCES. PREMIER AND THE A_SJI.S. A SETTLEMENT REACHED, WELLINGTON, April 30. Mr Massey had a conference with representatives of the A.S R_S. this morning. The conference lasted less than half an hour. Subsequently Mr Massey stated that the dispute with the AJ3.R.S. was settled and as far as they were concerned the strike would be called off. Mr Massey has yet to see representatives of the locomotive men. THE LOCO. MEN. AN ABORTIVE CONFERENCE. WITHDRAWAL OF THE MEN. WELLINGTON, April 30. A conference took place between Mr Massey and the executive of the locomotive men at 2.45. There were hopes that a settlement would be arrived at without great difficulty', and rumours were telegraphed out to the effect that it had actually come to pass, but at 5 o’clock the conference had not come to an agreement, and the men withdrew. This is the position at present. BREAKDOWN OF NEGOTIATIONS. NO PROPOSAL FOR RESUMPTION. STATEMENT BY MR McARLEY. MR MASSEY’S VERSION. WELLINGTON, April 30. All parties to the railway dispute are anxious to facilitate the completion of the tour of the Prince of IVales, and this desire has been a factor in the negotiations. Members of the A.S.K.S. are prepared to do any work required in connection with the Prince’s train, but the railway authorities are dubious about the advisability of attempting to run Royal train as ion , :r;’ r part of t. l n ;■ -rtN'T b ■■ taken with the Prince while he is travelling on the New Zealand railways. The executive of the E.F.C.A. is firm in its attitude,” said the secretary, Mr McArley, to a Dominion reporter to-night. "We have made claims which we consider to be fair and just.- M c consider that failing a settlement on ihe lines we have suggested, the alternative is for the Government to go through the schedule of wages and conditions point by point and arrive at a settlement. Wc are anxious to bring the dispute to a speedy settlement, and with that end in view we were prepared to accept the Conciliation Commission proposed by Mr Massey. If we are to go through the wages and conditions item by item it will take a considerable time and prolong the dispute. "We met the Prime Minister to-day in what we consider to be a fair way. We gave in to him on a good many points or at least we considered wo did, and when we asked him to concede one point he would not do it. That is where we stand tonight.” Mr MeArley added that the conference between the Prime Minister and the executive of the E.F.C.A. had broken coniplctoD, and no proposal had yet been made for its resumption. He could not tell what the future developments would be. The Prime Minister replied to-night to the statement that the loco, men had given way on several points and that he had re- ‘ fused to give way on the one concession j asked of him. I "All I cam say,” he stated, "is that the . points they are supposed to have conceded were of no value at all. What really Imp- i pened was that with the assistance of Sir | Francis Bell I simply straightened up their | language and ideas, and put- them in a \ workable form, in which shape I was prepared to accept them, I offered to Mr Mr A,-ley and his friends practically the same conditions which the other branches of the servic» had accepted. He asked for other concessions, which I found it impossible to grant The granting of the concessions to the loco, men would have been grossly unfair to the other railway men and to other branches of the public service."

unanimously endorse the action of the railway employees in their action in attempting to bring about a more humane system in their working conditions and a further increase in their altogether insufficient wage. We extend to them the hand of comradeship in their fight, and fervently hope that their fight will meet with all the success it is deserving of.” The executive of the Otago Labour Council to-day forwarded a resolution to the secretaries of the A.S.R.S. and L.E. and F.C.A. congratulating the railway workers upon their determination to bring to an end tlie, scandalous procrastination of the Government in dealing with their claims for adequate remuneration and better conditions.

STRIKERS’ LOSS OF PAY,

PROPOSED SOUTH ISLAND LEVY. CHRISTCHURCH, April 30. At a largely attended meeting of employees of the Addington railway- workshops to-day the opinion was expressed that the North Island men should not be allowed to bear the loss of pay, and it was resolved that the various railway organisations in the South Island should be levied upon with the object of paying the dependents of the men a portion of the pay lost. This decision was arrived at unanimously-, and the executive was invited to communicate with all the South Island branches with a view to collecting the funds necessary.

POSITION AT ROTORUA

A HUMOROUS SIDE. PROBLEM OF FOOD SUPPLIES. ROTORUA, April 30. The extraordinary situation arising in Rotorua as the result of the railway strike is nor without its humorous side. The spectacle of staid Ministers of the Crown and private secretaries, usually so complrt"!y armoured in froi- 1 to !•.; bn and that out o; Rotorua is one that could not fail to raise a smile on the faces even of those who were besot by uncertainty as to their own prospective movements. Lately many roads have led to Rotorua, and many feet have trod them, but now' (he chief of them is closed and the means of passage over others is limited. Cars are reserved largely for official parties, and even (hey cannot .always do what they would like to r!o. Some have succeeded, hut the majority are .-ai!! in ihe throes of uncertainly, and people anxious to get to their homes must resign themselves (o wait, till (he air The position of the townspeople is not altogether enviable. Coal is in short supply, and wood, though plentiful at no great distant-'', cannot bp got because the eternal labour scarcity liars the way, and food stocks are insufficient lo stand the strain of the large temporary population. When the shops opened this - afternoon there was a rush, as was anticipated, but- a plan of rationing was adopter! to some extent' and prevented any' "cornering,” thus ensuring that people of small means would have sufficient for their immediate needs. With the gradual evacuation of visiting hundreds the situation will become easier, of course, but at present it is, though not desperate, causing the managers of the town’s affairs quite a lot of concern. As the hour of departure of the Royal train drew near many people gathered in the vicinity of the station, ami though they' had not lost interest in the central figure, the Prince, there w'ero many curious eyes turned upon tlm.-c fortunate ones able to get away in the train.

BOARD OF TRADE ACTION

PRICE RAISING FORBIDDEN

ROTORUA. April 30. The Board of Trade has forbidden an increase of prices of essential commodities, including benzine, at Rotorua over those ruling on Monday had. Mr Hall, the resident officer, has been appointed the Board’s representative to control distribution and prices. The Chamber of Commerce has been requested to co-operate. The public are warned to exercise care in the use of commodities. It has been decided in the event of a general strike to introduce rationing by tickets.

THE OFFICERS’ INSTITUTE

AUCKLAND STRIKE BALLOT.

REPORTED TWO TO ONE MAJORITY. AUCKLAND, April 30. The Auckland Railway Officers’ Institute held a strike ballot to-day. Although the officials declined to make a statement as to the result of the ballot, it is understood that there was a two to one majority in favour of a strike. The Auckland branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants decided * not to resume worn until the strike of engineers, drivers, firemen and cleaners is settled. This decision was reached at a meeting at the Trades Hall at which about 1000 railwayman were present. During the meeting a telegram from the President and Secretary' in Wellington was read, stating that the strike of the Society' had been settled and that members were to report for work immediately. DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION. A NO-CONFIDENCE RESOLUTION. WELLINGTON, April 30. The following resolution was passed by a meeting of the local branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute; —“That this meeting of members of the Wellington Branch of the Railway Officers’ Institute affirms that it has absolutely no confidence in the present management’s staff administration, and we call upon the Government to take steps whereby a more up-to-date staff shall be assured which, while protecting the interests of the Dominion, shall also advance and conserve the individual rights of the railway employees. Further, we are strongly of opinion that had this been done in the past the present strike would not have eventuated.” SYMPATHY OF OTHER UNIONS. RESOLUTIONS OF ENCOURAGEMENT. DUNEDIN, April 30. The Seamen’s Union, at a general meeting on Thursday, resolved as follows; — “That this meeting of members of the Dunedin local of the Federated Seamen’s Union,

FEILDING FARMERS’ SUGGESTION. FEILDING, April 30. The Feildinp Farmers’ Union at an urgent meeting, passed a resolution regretting that the railway men hail struck during the Prince’s visit, and suggested to Mr Massey that a conference should be held simultaneously with the men returning to work. INVERCARGILL BRANCH A.S.EE. AWAITING DEFINITE INFORMATION. A meeting of the local branch of the A.S.R.S. was held last evening, but in view of the conflicting reports of the position in the North Id and, it was decided to take no action until further information was received.