A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS THOUGHT LIKELY

Wanganui Chronicle, 23 December 1950, Page 6

A STATE OF EMERGENCY IS THOUGHT LIKELY

WELLINGTON, Last Night, ■ (P.A.). —The railway melt are standing firm by their decision to go on strike tomorrow night. The Government may declare a date of emergency as soon as the strike begins. Other transport unions have pledged their support if called on by Hie railwaymen. There was no indication at a late hour tonight of any change in the railwaymen's plans for a general strike starting at midnight tomorrow. The national conference of the En-gine-drivers', Firemen s and Cleaners’ Association will be held tomorrow to determine the association’s policy. The acting-Leader of the Opposition (Mr Nash) tonight met representatives of the railwaymen in the presence of Federation of Labour officials, but no statement was issued by the parties. The transport unions indicated support for the railwaymen. Mr A. C. Melville, national secretary of the New Zealand Drivers Federation, said last night: “We feel sure our drivers will not proceed with anything outside their normal work, either on passenger or goods services, and that they will be firm in support of the railwaymen.” Mr T. Hill, national secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Union, said: “It is yet to be recorded in New Zealand’sjndustrial history that the New Zealand waterside workers ever refused to support any industrial organisation that is fighting for decent wage rates.” DRIVERS’ SUPPORT Mr P. A. Hansen, secretary of the New Zealand Transport Workers' Federation, said the railwaymen could rest assured that no affiliate of the Transport Workers’ Federation would be splitting constitutional hairs or observing legal niceties about what terms the workers should or should not accept at a time such as this. "With all the confidence in the world I assert that any affiliate union that would be a party to seeing the normal work of railwaymen diverted into any other channel of transport will be met with a strong rebuff,” said Mr Hanson. Should the railwaymen seek his federation’s help, said Mr Hanson, such a move would meet with prompt attention.