FIREMEN’S DISPUTE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23257, 19 July 1945, Page 4

FIREMEN’S DISPUTE

Legal Action To Be Taken (N.Z.P.A.) DUNEDIN. July 18. Authority to institute legal action under the Strike and Lockout Emergency Regulations against members of the Dunedin Fire Brigades' Union concerned in a recent dispute was granted to the chairman and secretary of the Fire Board last night meeting. The only dissentient was Mr W. C. McDonnell. who is also the unions’ secretary, who gave notice of motion to rescind the resolution.

RAILCAR SERVICE Chamber Of Commerce Protests

The discontinuance of the TimaruChristchurch railcar service was a retrograde step, stated the chairman of the Publicity and Progress Committee iMr w. S. Minehan i in a report to the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce last evening. Telegrams of protest had been sent to the Rev. Clyde Carr, M.P., and the Minister of Railways (the Hon. R. Sempie) and the latter had replied that the matter had been considered fully before the decision had been made. He could not alter his decision in the meantime, said Mr Minehan. The railcar had provided a speedy and reliable service which could not be duplicated by the buses. The buses would be more convenient for the people of Temuka and Geraldine. In answer to a question. Mr S. -G. McClelland said that the railcar had been taken to provide a day service to Christchurch from Westport,

When a communal service was to be altered or deleted ample opportunity should be given to affected townspeople to discuss the change, said Mr J. S. Satterthwaite. There was little use protesting after a decision was made. It should be pointed out. too, that the charge for a bus passage to Christchurch was in excess of that charged on the railway.

The Chamber agreed to write to the Minister thanking him for hls prompt reply and asking him to restore the railcar service at his earliest convenience.