RAIL TRAFFIC CEASES BUT ONLY TWO DISTRICT BODIES STRIKING

Wanganui Chronicle, 26 December 1950, Page 4

RAIL TRAFFIC CEASES BUT ONLY TWO DISTRICT BODIES STRIKING

As is the case throughout New Zealand, no railway traffic has moved in the Wanganui district since Saturday night. To date, however, only two of the four railwaymen’s organisations in the .district— the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Railway Tradesmen’s Association—are on strike. The Engine-drivers’, Firemen’s and Cleaners’* Association is waiting for a decision from its national executive on whether its members will be called out, and the Railway Officers’ Association has not been involved in the dispute. On Sundny members of the A-S.R.b. and the R.T.A. held one of the biggest railwaymen’s meetings in Wanganui for several years. Later the A.S.k. secretary, Mr. G. Lawrence, gave the following official statement, to the “Chronicle”: “At a largely attended mass meeting on Sunday it was* unanimously decided that full support be given to the executive council in their action in declaring a strike.” Chairman of the Wanganui branch of the E.F.C.A.. Mr. J. C. Ferry, stated yesterday that the E.F.C.A. national executive had ins ructed its members 1o report for duty as usual until further notice. A decision on whether the organisation will strike is expected after the result of today’s negotiations in Wellington is known.

Busy Marton Telephone Exchange One of the busiest public utilities in Marton last Friday (Christmas Eve) was the telephone exchange. The number of calls put through by Marton subscribers from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. totalled 10,850, which is thought to be a record for a 12-hour period. Automatic counters recorded the total. The rush started early in the morning and continued throughout the day.