RAILWAY STRIKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16724, 27 April 1920, Page 2

RAILWAY STRIKE.

ENGINEDRIVERS’ UNION. TAKING DECISIVE ACTION. MEN TO COME OUT TO-NIGHT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, April 27. It is announced that the locomotive men on the North Island Railways will cease work at midnight to-night. WELLINGTON, April 27.

The Times this morning says that persistent? rumours aro on foot of a railway strike. The officials of the unions would give no information, but early this morning it was stated that the locomotive men would leave work at midnight to-night. - PALMERSTON N., April 27. It is authoritatively announced here that members of tho Enginedrivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association will cease work this evening pending a settlement of the dispute. Although the strike will ho declared at midnight trains will not step at that time, irrespective of where they may be. All starting before midnight will run to their destination.-;, but passengers embarking after that time will do so at their own risk. Tho. Main Trunk express leaving Auckland will run as usual to Wellington; similarly the expresses from Wellington to Auckland will complete their journey. . The men declare that their wages are inadequate and that the conditions of labour, especially the long hours, cannot continue longer. What attitude the A.S.R.S. will take up is not known. Meetings are being hold throughout the. Dominion at midday. The First Division is not likely to be affected.

A prominent member informed a Standard reporter that there was a considerable amount of sympathy with the men from the other divisions, adding, significantly: “So have the wharf lumpers and police.” The decision of the meeting at midday must be endorisd at headquarters. Local members of the A.S.R.S. state emphatically that they favour coming out. f

Similar rumours to the above have been in circulation in New Plymouth this morning, but inquiry among a number of local railway employees failed to receive any confirmation. In fact it was said there was nothing in the statement.