RAILWAYMEN RESENTFUL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 143, 20 June 1939, Page 7

RAILWAYMEN RESENTFUL

INTERROGATION OF MEMBERS LETTERS TO PRESS [ Per Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, June 19. Resentment among the division of one staff of the Railway Department in Christchurch over the reported cross-examination of some ol their members regarding anonymous cor- i respondence in Ine Press during; April, is so acute that a special meet- ‘ ing of the Railway Officers’ Institute has been called for Wednesday night. 1 The staff administration of the rail-1 ways was criticised and widespread I dissatisfaction was expressed in letters which were signed by "Grade 7” and "Another Grade 7,” and appeared respectively on April 3 and April 20. It. is common knowledge among the railwaymen that lhe staff superintendent (Mr. A. Urquhart) was sent specially to Christchurch to investigate the sources of the letters and that several j members of the clerical staff were • interviewed by him at the office of lhe district traffic manager. “There are good grounds for the I report that members aie very resentful,’’ said Mr. J. S. Roscoe, secretary of the Christchurch branch, this afternoon, to a reporter who was ■ referred to the secretary by the men] who were reported to have been in- • terrogated. "it is also correct that a | special general meeting of members i will consider the matter on Wednesday and the question of any publicity • will be decided at. tnat meeting.” Replying to questions, Mr. Roscoe said that, the resentment of the members had been communicated already to the Prime Minister and also to the Minister of Railways. The Prime Minister, said Mr. Roscoe, had not yet had reasonable opportunity to reply.