THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16725, 28 April 1920, Page 7

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

STATEMENT BY OFFICIAL. OE DRIVERS’ ASSOCIATION. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, April 28. Mr. Deny, an official of the Enginedrivers, Firemen, and Cleaners’ Association, said that the executive had been holding the men in check since November, li)17. Tho work had been heavier and the hours longer and tiio men were repeatedly on duty twenty hours. There •was no provision for meals and the position was unbearable. .The breaking point had boon readied. Tho Prince’s tour would bo finished so far as this district was concerned and outside that they could not say. Mr. Deny quoted tho wages men were receiving outside tho service, up to 3s Cd per hour, while a driver with twenty years’ service only got Is 10cl-}d. He emphasised the fact that they were not demanding wages based on tho mere cost of living but commensurate with the services performed. WELLINGTON FREEZING WORKS. SHORT OF COAL. WELLINGTON, April 28. Regarding the position at the freezing works it is stated that as soon as the supplies of live stock in hand are used tho butchers and others will be dispensed with until further stocks arrive. It is believed that the freezing works are well supplied with coal and the refrigerating machinery will he kept going. The strike has reduced the number of men employed in handling the meat cargoes at the ports. There is ample meat in stock in the Dominion to supply all the demands for more than a year. SUPPORT FOR WELFARE LEAGUE.

_ DUNEDIN, April 28. The Dunedin branch of the Welfare League sent a telegram to the National Executive supporting headquarters in representations made to both parties. They further suggested that the Premier should be asked to undertake that the Conference will be set up to deal with the matter simultaneously with the men .. returning to duty. RAILWAY OFFICERS. WILL NOT BE STRIKE-BREAKERS. WELLINGTON, ApHl 2S. The secretary of the Railway Officers’ Institute telegraphed to the Minister for Railways as follows:—“I urgenly request that no member of the Railway Officers Institute bo called upon to perform second division duties during the present crisis. The Institute is ho party to the dispute and for the fuurc welfare of the Railway Department it is mos advisable that our members should not be brought into conflict with members of the secon Mr. Denehey, president of the Institute, stated that it was a fact that some members of the Institute wore running engines which had been sent out with trains to-day. Those men had not volunteered for such service however. The rules were very wide, but if anyk members of file institute declined to perform second division work, the institute did not wish the public to forgot that the officers had their own dispute with the Department and that they intended to press their claims. A similar message was sent from Dunedin. PRICE OF POTATOES. SHOWS RAPID ADVANCE. WELLINGTON, April 28. One effect of the strike is a. notable increase in the market price of produce. Potatoes, which sold yesterday at £9 per ton, brought £ls to-day. By arrangement with the postal authorities the Union Company will run the (Arahura between Wellington and Onehungn. She will leave each port twice a week. She will carry mails and accommodation for 200 passengers. CARGO ON RARAWA. VESSEL’S DISPATCH UNCERTAIN. Up till 3 o’clock this afternoon no reply had been received by the New Plymouth office of the Northern Company as to whether or not the Rarawa’s departure from New Plymouth would be delayed until to-morrow night.