Intimidation Is Denied By A.S.R.S. Heads

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 6

Intimidation Is Denied By A.S.R.S. Heads

WELLINGTON, Last Night (FA)— “There was no threat or suggestion of intimidation by representatives or railwaymen at any stage of lengthy discussions with the Ministers. The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) acknowledged this to be a fact and this was made clear to the Prime Minister,” said the A.S.R.S. today. “Those Ministers who took part in the earlier discussions agreed that this was true, but the Prime Minister has nevertheless claimed that a large number of railwaymen have held up the transport of the country and we should not negotiate in these circumstances. The Deputy-Prime Minister, however, had given the men’s representatives a specific assurance that he would continue to negotiate with the rational office even though some sections were taking direct action. “The men’s representatives right from the start of the discussions agreed that the system of negotiation and arbitration through the tribunal should not be departed from. The Ministers, after carefully examining these points, specifically agreed that the proposition put by the employees was in every way constitutional. “Mr Holland s fundamental point is* very much of an afterthought. The Government has definitely refused to endorse the agreement reached in conciliation between the employees’ representatives and the General Manager of Railways. Although these negotiations took place with the full knowledge and authority of Ministers, the Government has now repudiated these negotiations after they had been completed.”