THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

Western Star, 30 April 1920, Page 3

THE RAILWAY STRIKE.

The claims of the men to higher wages and better conditions, put forward some months ago, were referred to a Railway Enquiry Board, of wdiich Mr Justice Sstringer was chairman. His report, which was issued by the Government early last, month, recommended that the wages of the Second Division men, which had already been increased by three successive bonuses, of a shilling a day, which meant that the weekly wag© for married men would stand at £3 18/-, as against £2 14/- before the war. It was also stated that the Government had further agreed to single imecn receiving a bonus ol 6d per day, further increases to be made later if rendered necessary by any subsequent rise in the cost of living. The recommendations, which imposed a heavy tax upon the revenue, proved not at all acceptable to the men, and resolutions of protest against them, coupled with threats of strike, were passed in vari-

ous parts of the country. • . . To that offer the A.S.R.S. replied by filing, notice of dispute under the provisions of the Labour Disputes Investigation Act of 1913, while the locomotive men in the north, without waiting to see the result of this step, took matters into their .own hands. It will not be their fault if the whole railway service of the Dominion, and possibly other transport services, are not tied up. • . • W© have strong hopes, however, that the striking railwaymeu will very soon realise, as the railway men did at Home last year, that they have against them a body of public opinion against which it is impossible to fight. A strike of this nature to succeed must either have the support of the mass of the people, or must so terrorise them that the employers have to give way. There is no fear that the New Zealand people can be frightened into compelling the Government to surrender. . . We trust sincerely that the strike will be only a very temporary episode, but if the worst comes, then we look to the people of New Zealand to act with as much public-spirited determination not to be bullied as those of the Old Country did in a similar trial.— Christchurch Press. GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED. The Prim© Minister readied Wellington on Thursday night, and immediately met in conference successively representatives of the three railway unions. Subsequently Ml' Massey announced that although, no definite statement could be made at that stage, the discussions had been frank and friendly and good progress had been made. ' Unless satisfactory results are obtained from the conference with the Premier, the South Island railwaymen will come out. Opinion, appears to differ in the North as to\ the adviseableness of the South Island men coming out, as it is that the strike could be kept going for, a longer period if the strike pay were\ supplemented by the South Island Workers;' LOCAL MAILS. In the event of the railway strike extending to the South Island, the local postal officials are endeavouring to arrange a motor service to carry mails where possible. If such a service were instituted as a result of the strike, only letters and post cards would be carried by the motor service. At present the postal authorities are ■accepting letters only for the North island, with the exception of Wellington city, for mail matter is accepte^^ MEEJTN'GS UPPORTS STRIKE. At the meeting of the Southland branch of the L.B. and Cl Association on Wednesday night correspondence) from) headquarters, Wellington, relative to the strike in the North Island was considered. The meeting decided ; that members were prepared to fall into line with the North Island. Grievances of the local men, espect- • ally in regard to the wages, of engine drivers, wore freely voiced. The meeting expressed the hope that drastic measures would not be found) necessary.