RAILWAYMEN.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 50, 13 October 1911, Page 6

RAILWAYMEN.

TO STRIKE OR NOT TO STRIKE? (Per Press Association.) Christchurch, October 12. A local railwayman who is connected with the A.S.R.S., and claims to be in the entire confidence of the local executive, when asked if he would hazard an opinion as to the origin of the rumour regarding a probable strike of railwaymen, said that one statement had filled him with suspicion. This statement was that all hands, with the exception of the* enginedrivers and firemen, wculd go out. Engine drivers and firemen had what was called a “loco society,” which was straining every nerve in their interests and was not particularly friendjly with the A.S.R.S. The publication of a strike rumour and the emphasis placed on the loyalty of the engine drivers and firemen, suggested to him that the paragraph had been inspired by a friend of the “loco society,” if not by the society itself. Mr S. Kennedy, president of the New Zealand Engine-drivers’ and Firemen and Cleaners’ Association, in an interview regarding a statement made by a local railwayman to the effect that the rumour of an impending strike on the New Zealand railways was to be traced probably to the “loco society,” stated that the rumour in no way emanated from the society ol which lie is president, nor did it emanate from the headquarters of the association in Christchurch, or from the branch of the society in Dunedin. His association would have no object in circulating such a report. Asked if lie know anything about the origin of the rumour, Mr Kennedy said that ho did not think there was the slightest possibility of any section of railwaymen going on strike. The Superannuation Act would bar them entertaining such a proposal seriously, as they would lose all benefits under the Act if they went on strike, and would therefore be very great losers. He did not know whore the rumour came from, and he was quite sun that no railwaymen for one moment seriously contemplated striking.