SECOND EDITION. RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 15815, 13 May 1919, Page 7

SECOND EDITION. RAILWAYMEN'S DEMANDS.

A CRISIS AT HAND. DRIVERS DECIDE TO CEASE WORK. UNLESS BETTER TREATED. (Per United Frees Association.) WELLINGTON, May 13. A deputation from the Locomotive En-gine-drivers’, Cleaners and Firemen’s Association waited on the Acting-Prime Minister to-day. Mr Henderson, president of the Association, said that the men by almost unanimous vote had decided that the Government proposals did not meet with their approval. Some of their demands had been met by the Government, but there was an indication that much was to be taken away. The men resented bay proposal aiming at lowering the iwage of a man who has become unfit to perform the highest duties as a result of conditions under which he had been working. They also resented the proposal aiming i at lowerihg the wages of cleaners, either at present or in the future. Further, the proposal to give a percentage of engineers sixpence per day more than others in the same grade was the same as the scheme of Sir J. Millar when Minister of Railways, and which the men had then rejected. Die bonus did not meet tbe claims of the men, and the proposal for time and a quarter as overtime would not have the desired effect of reducing overtime. Every peaceable means had been taken advantage of by the men and their representatives, and the men had now decided by a majority vote of ninety-five and a half per cent, to cease work until their demands

received more generous treatment. As, however, there were still other avenues hy which a peaceful adjustment might i he made the executive council asked that a conciliator be appointed, and would suggest Judge Sim, or Judge Stringer. Sir Jas. Allen, in reply, said the matter would be referred to Mr Henries and the Cabinet. AN EARLY REPLY ESSENTIAL. MEN HARD TO RESTRAIN. WELLINGTON, May 13. Sir James Allen, replying to the loco, men’s deputation, assured the men that Mr Herries and the Railway Department were desirous of maintaining friendly relations and, though he ootild not speak as to details of the proposals, he was informed that the addition of the bonus to their wages placed the men in a position that was higher than any individual State of Australia, except tropical Queensland. He pointed out that the men had very big concessions in recognition of overtime after eight hours. It was essential that they should all stick together, and he remarked that so long as they could carry on the railways successfully the Government might be encouraged to go into other businesses. The whole matter would be placed before Cabinet at least by Tuesdav.

The deputation assured the Minister of the importance of giving an early reply, as the men were hard to restrain.