RAILWAY STRIKE.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 16081, 22 April 1924, Page 5

RAILWAY STRIKE.

MEN OUT AT MIDNIGHT.

NO TRAINS RUNNING

(Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, April 22. A serious hitch has occurred in the railway negotations. Yesterday afternoon Mr Massey announced that a communication Imd come to the Minister of Railways from the A.S.R.S., informing him that unless the demands of the men were acceded to they would go on strike last night. It was only fair to say, added Mr Massey, that matters have readied a critical stage, and another demand has come this morning to the Minister of Railways from the A.S.R.S. Cabinet met yesterday afternoon to consider the demand. The men went out at midnight. The stationmaster at Thames, interviewed this morning stated he had received official notification this morning to stand by until further notice.

A DEFINITE DECISION. {'Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 22. Tiie railwaymen suddenly altered their position and notified the Government that failing some increase in the wages, they would strike at midnight. The Government refused, and tlie men were called out. All trains in motion were taken to their destination but no others.

NO USE QUIBBLING. PARLIAMENT NOT TO MEET. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON. April 22. A lengthy statement has been publisned by the Government and the railwaymen. It is largely a recapitulation of the early stages of the dispute already published. Mr Massey says it is no use quibbling about the cost of living as the members of pile Public Service are much better off than they were in 1912. The country is carrying as much as it can stand and more, and lower prices are to be expected for produce. If the Government does not resist the extravagant demands coming in every day it will end in disaster. He denies the Government is forcing an election on this issue. They have not thought of doing anything of the sort. The men have chosen fleet week to strike, and Mr Massey believes that these tactics will be looked on with general disfavour. The men will have to take the responsibility. He adds that the fact that the men are credited with

4/10 weekly for superannuation in addition to their wages at the cost of £200,000 has been overlooked, as has also the competition of motors. He finishes by saying then? is no intention of convening Parliament, as the Gov-

ernment will have enough to do without wasting tune in. Parliamentary wrangles.

DRIVERS WILL WORK,

RUN TRAINS IF MANNED. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 22. The locomotive men still say they •will not come out, but Mr Connelly openly expresses the hope that the strikers will still get them. At present it is understood they will run trains if a proper personnel is provided and can be safely done. There was a great rush for the night train to Auckland, especially when it was •definitely known it would go right through. No attempt will be made to-day to run trains on any lines. Arrangements are in the making to forward mails to Napier and New Plymouth by motor, and from the latter bv steamer to Auckland.

It is anticipated that motor lorries will largely relieve the congestion in the country districts.

WHANGAREI SECTION,

(Press Association.)

WHANGAREI, April 22,

The railway service at Whangarci and the northland came to an abrupt complete cessation as from midnight. The 'Whangarei-Auekland connection, apart from the strike, had already been inert till now on account of the recent flood damage. li* the stoppage continues all mining operations at lJikuraugi will have to close down soon, or curtail considerably. Motor vehicles met the steamer Manaia at Onerahi this morning, conveying 500 passengers to Whangarci. A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce Council has convened for this afternoon with the view, it is understood, of calling business people together and later arrange auxiliary services northward and southward to deal with essentia] ira hie.

STRIKE VOTERS. i (Press Association.) BLENHEIM, April 22. The. railway strike materialised this morning with the non-arrival of the usual morning train from Pieton and Ward. Sixty-three men are out on the Pieton-Wharanui section. Ninety per cent, of the local men voted for a strike. II PROPKRTY PROTECTED fPress Assor' finn.) 51ARTON, April 22. The railway strikers have given their assurance that thev will in every way protect public property during the strike.

PEOPLE STRANDED. (Press Association.) HOKITIKA, April 22. A large number of passengers gathered at the railway station this morning, including the members of the Christchurch Bible Class, who had been on a camping tour at Hokitika. There was much disgust and disappointment when it was found that the trains would not run. Offers of volunteer help were declined by the authorities. Newman’s motors were at once put on for all localities served by the trains, and several parties left for Greymouth. A large ’bus also carrying letter mail, left for Christchurch at 9 a.m. Owing to strike instructions not reaching Ross, the inward train arrived at the usual hour, but returned shortly after to its home station. A large fleet of motor cars is being organised for the Hokitika races.

COMPLETE MOTOR SERVICES. i (Press Association). AUCKLAND, April 22. The railway strike caused idle railway yards with the exception of the apprentices, who continued work at the railway workshops. Improvised motor lorry services are being run on the suburban services. On the southern railway line motor vehicles have connected with the tramway services to Onehunga. On the northern line motors ran between the tram terminu's and Mount Albert s/> that workers arrived in town practically at the usual time.

THE MEN’S REASONS. (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 22. At the Conference on Saturday when another Wages Board was asked for, the Government proposed the Chairman should be a Supreme Court Judge. The Society suggested Mr Barton of Wanganui. According to Mr Connelly's statment, Mr Barton * was one of the names for the original board. The Society had already refused to agree to a judge and no guarantee was given as to when the Board would be set up. Mr Connelly states the Government declined to accept Mr Barton, saying he -was not available. It was not, considered that a genuine attempt wts being made to meet the inn. consequently the strike was put in action.

PICKETS APPOINTED (Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 22. Volunteers to form strike pickets were called for at a meeting at Petonc Workshops employees this morning and the first ten for this purpose were appointed. Addressing a meeting Mi ('liurehouse, a member of the A S.R.S. Executive outlined the negotiations, advising the men to maintain order and remain on good terms with the members of the E.F.C.A., the rank and file of whom were in entire sympathy with the A.S.R.S. claims. He felt sure the members of the E.F.C.A. would soon be with them, and if they •' ■ eome in-by their heads they would he dragged in by their shoulders. The strike appeared to he popular with the majority of those present but some of the older men, who. no doubt have superannuation in mind quietly expressed their conviction the strike was no good to them. The proceedings were'quite orderly. LOCAL MAILS. The chief postmaster is endeavouring to arrange for mails being conveyed once a day to Paeroa, and negotiations are well forward to run a service from there to Hamilton and return. The mails for Wellington will probably run three times a week by steamer, connecting at Onehunga with the New Plymouth boat. Arrangements will probably be completed by to-morrow. MOTORS BUSY. Motor lorries have given a lot of help in getting children, that usually go by train, to school tin’s morning, 'file Kopu Committee made early arrangements to convey the Matatokc children to Kopu. Children for tire other primary schools of the district have been similarly conveyed to and from their schools.

AIK FT INC IN AKOK LAND. (Press Association.) AUCKLAND. A -m A meeting at the Trades Hall was attended by eight hundred railway men. They were addressed by .Mr Bnrtrani. AI.P., Air llickev organiser lor Auckland and Mr Purtell. Secretary of the Dairymen's Union. Strike Committee’s were formed. The aimoinf ment of a strike organiser was deferred as the opinion was exoressed that Dm strike would not last mure than two days, and even if it did. it was net; expected that other Unions would be asked to down tools.

KN PRESS A !t It IVES. | Wellington. Aon I go I The last train to arrive to-dav was the express from • Auckland There are no suburban trains, lint motor transport from the Hutt Valle' - commenced first thing this moHling. So many vehicles were offering fl '- J was not sufficient n-issengers for all Good use was made of the newlv surfaced Hutt Road. AIR. WILFORD’S STATEMENT. CPrepc Asfiomrition.) WELLINGTON. April 22. Air T. M. Wilford, ALP., Leader of the Opposition, in a statement is(Continued on next column.)

sued to-day, says the Liberal executive met and considered the position soon after the. deadlock on the 10th instant, and it has been in negotiation with the different parties to the dispute ever since. He believed that up to yesterday his efforts had not been fruitless, and regrets the strike ns the aftermath of every industrial upheaval is resentment, ill-will, and bitterness.

“As to the attitude of the Liberal Party in reference to some of the outstanding matters of the dispute, 1 will state it here that we stand in favour of the 44-hours’ week, particularly in the case of the railway men whose hours are often irregular and whose responsibilities are very great and, having with my party voted against a reduction of the salaries of those in the public service receiving £320 a year an I under, I unhesitatingly - support that vote by backing the restoration, as in our opinion no one receiving a salary of £320 a year and under should have been penalised. This view has been strengthened since the cut, as the Government has been able to make big reductions in taxation, ido not wish to go into the question of the cost of living further than to say I believe when the increased cost of rent and clothing is calculated today in conjunction with all .food groups, it will he found that the difference is nearer 70 than 60 per cent. Our Party does not support the strike method. The Prime Minister's manifesto this morning carries no weight at all. I have all his speeches since his return from Auckland, and I find that when he wishes to advocate a reduction in taxation he tells us everything is well with the. connfry. and when he faces the question of increased wages to those who have a desperate struggle to make ends meet, lie predicts a disaster.” Mr Wilford concludes by urging further negotiations.

EXPRESS LEAVES CHRISTCHURCH.

CARRIES 600 PASSENGERS. (Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, April 22. The express for Dunedin, which usually departs at 5.50, got away at 10 o’clock. A ticket inspector went: as guard, and a reserve driver, signal inspector, and tradio inspector travelled in the cab of the locomotive. The train consisted of IS passenger oars and two vans, and carried fully 600 passengers. As it steamed out of the station there were loud cheers from the passengers and the large crowd <m the platform. Due signalman at Colombo Street crossing refused to go on strike, and signalled the train out. The only other trains that departed from Christchurch this morning were on the Lyttelton line, where a skeleton service, is being mil. The trains from SpringHeld and Ashburton arrived at Christchurch behind schedule time. The officials are endeavouring to get some trams away this afternoon. The service to Lyttelton was maintained, and there was no difficulty with the ferry train. WIRE PROM MR. HOLLAND. Mr T. W. Rhodes. M.P., has just I received a telegram from Mr 11. E. j Holland, winch reads as follows: "The Parliamentary Labour Party is firmly convinced that if Parliament had an opportunity of dealing with the matters in dispute between the Government and the railway workers, a settlement would speedily he effected. I earnestly invite you to support this request to the Prime Minister that the House he called together immediately. —H. E. Holland, chairman.” Mr Rhodes does not consider this an opportune time for Parliament to meet, as the Government has its own responsibilities to face, and can deal

with the strike matters without infevi'erenee.

MAIL TRAIN RUNS. (Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, April 22. A large number of motor ears left tin's morning carrying passengers for southern destinations, and at 11.30 a rimil train left for Wanganui with about 100 passengers. A little work is being done on the wharf loading the trucks which happened to be therm

(Continued on next column.)