GLAD TO BE BACK.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19007, 7 May 1924, Page 5

GLAD TO BE BACK.

RAILWAYMEN AT WORK. WILL MORE BE HEARD Of INTERNAL GRIEVANCE! TRAINS AS BEFORE. (N.Z. Times.) The railway strike is fast becoming little more than a bad memory. Trains are now running just as they were before the A.S.R.S. took the decision to break off negotiations and cease work. The universal opinion is that the men suffered defeat as a result of the action which was taken in their name, and some surprise has been expressed that even Mr. Semple should endeavour to put a different complexion on the case. Mr. Semple said it was not defeat, but merely tactics. The people think utiicrwise. THE GAIN AND THE LOSS What have the strikers gained? far, nothing. What have they lost! Over a week’s pay, and the right to superannuation. The general opinion is that the superannuation question will be made right, and that eventually there will be no loss under this head. Apart from the loss to the men, wit Lt out any commensurate gain, there has been the national loss which a big transport strike makes inevitable. Now things are righting tbemsckes. The Railway Department has risen to the occasion well, and is losing a minimum of time in restoring all services to the condition they were in before the upheaval. The Minister iot Railways went out of his way last week to pay his department a compliment for the alacrity with which it had taken off its coat at the moment the strike was called off. As to the men, there can be little doubt that most of them were glad to be back at work. The railwaymen’s cupboard takes just as much filling as that of any other worker, and the process of shooing the wolf away is not assisted by a period of idleness, however worthy the striker may think the object is. SOME DISSATISFACTION. There was some dissatisfaction among the most militant of the mtn with the manner in which the strike was ended, but for all that they were glad to be earning again the wherewithal to maintain themselves and their dependents. It appears to be an open secret that the men consider they have a serious grievance against one of th< officers of their society for his part in the battle. Some very strong thingt have been said about him, and, though time heals many a sore, it will uot be surprising if events prove that the last has not yet been hoard of the matter.

On the morning following the calling off of the strike the representatives of the A.S.R.S. met the Minister for Railways, and began with him discussions which arc still proceeding. Theer the position remains. The men have not by their action in resuming work abandoned their chain: for better pay. The difference between now and week ago is that now the argument is to be settled by negotiation, while then there was an attempt to decide it by the method of the strike.