NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15998, 28 May 1924, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND RAILWAYS.

QUESTION OF TRIBUNAL.

A.S.R.S. STATEMENT UNCONFIRMED

CONFERENCE WITH MEN

(By Telegraph—Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. With the return of the president of tlie A.S.R.S., it was expected that tote statement made on Thursday last rn Auckland, that his association would accept as a tribunal the Arbitration Court from emong those offered by the Minister of Railways, would have been officially confirmed. - Such, bowever, Is not the case. The Hon. J. G. Goates stated this evening' that he was agreeable to meet the executive of the A.S.R.S.

Another development is the repudiation by the A.S.R.S. president, of the version given yesterday by the secretary of the loco, men's Association of the interview that took place between his body and the president of the A.S.R.S. The loco, secretary reported that his president and two of his executive were prepared to swear that his report of what took place at the interview was correct. The statement made by the president of the A.S.R.S. (Mr M. Connelly) in Auckland on Thursday last that the association would accept the Arbitration Court as a tribunal has not been officially confirmed, and it is probable that tt will not be confirmed until a further conference between the executive and the Minister of Railways takes place. As the members of the executive have returned to their respective districts it is not likely that the conference will lake place for some days. Meanwhile an agreement as to the nature of the tribunal to hear the representations of the A.S.R.S. is held up.

The Drestdent of the A.S.R.S. and the secretary (Mr Mack) had a lengthy conference with the general manager to-day. Subsequently the .Minister stated that he was agreeable to meet the executive of the A.S.R.S. and a conference is being arranged.

WHICH TRIBUNAL? NO OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Despite the reported statement of Mr Connolly in Auckland, the "A.S.R.S. has not yet officially informed the Minister of Railways that the Arbitration Court has been accepted as the tribunal ifi the railway dispute. MEETING AT CHRISTCHURCH. OFFER RY LABOUR M.P. CHRISTCHURCH, Tuesday. From to-day the Addington workshops men's hours' are 7.30 a.m. to noon, 12.30 p.m. to 4.4 a p.m. and on Saturdays till noon.

Over 500 were present at a special meeting of the Addington Workshops' branch of the A.S.R.S. held in the Trades' Hall-last evening. The meeting, which was very lively, was addressed by Mr M. J. O'Connor, member of the executive council, and Mr R. Hampton, a former president. A message was received from the Christchurch Labour members offering to support the branch in a fight against the rcinlroduc-tion of the 48hours week. It was decided to thank the members for their offer, and to send a protest against the 48-hour week to the Labour organisations throughout the country. The following resolution was carried unanimously: "That the Executive Council be called on to call a special conference to review and inquire into all matters connected with the strike; that, in order to avoid the possibility of a conference not being called by the Executive Council this branch demands' that a special conference be called by the general secretary as provided for in rule 16, clause 2, and that the branch committee be instructed to immediately take the 'ballot necessary under such rule." In connection with the circulation of a manifesto in which members of the A.S.R.S. resigned from the society, ostensibly with the object of forming a separate body, an official of the A.S.R.S. stated last nigh I that he had been reliably informed thai the signatures to the manifesto had been lost. "I have heard on the very best authority that the manifesto was given lo a certain man for his signature, and that the sheet containing the signatures mysteriously disappeared and has not been found since." lie added: ''That, of course, was quite likely to happen as the movement was not taken seriously by anyone. After all, the manifesto only stated that the signatories resigned from the society; there was nothing- on it as far as I am aware to indicate that those resigning intended to form a new union."

FRANKTON RESOLUTION. A DENIAL. Mr A. E. Church, secretary of the Auckland branch of the A.S.R.S., writes:—

"On behalf of the Frankton Junction branch of the A.S.R.S. J take strong exception lo the report published in the Waikato Times to-night, May 20. It i.s very misleading, and quite contrary lo fact. The amendment which was reported Lo nave been carried at Sunday's meeting was never even moved, lei, alone carried. The, resolution which whs carried unanimously al tiie conclusion of Mr Connelly's address was: "That this meeting extend lo Mr Connelly a very hearty vote of thanks for his very able and fighting address."

(The report as published was communicated to us by a railwayman present at the meeting in question, and whom we regard as., a reliable authority. The information was therefore published in the same good faith as we arc pleased to publish the denial.—Ed. W.T.)