24 AUGUST 1951, Page 4

* * * * That the colour-bar should prevail on

British Railways when both the Railway Executive and the National Union of Railway- men are definitely -against it is as surprising as it is deplorable, It can spring only from the bone-headed prejudice of individuals numerous enough, or effective enough as agitators, to get their way. It is all to the good that a Conservative and a Liberal M.P. are taking the matter up, but what they, or even public opinion generally, can do about it is very doubtful. All that is in.question is holiday work by students, and white students are accepted readily ; coloured ones are not. The best hope is that decent- minded railwaymen, of whom there must be abundance, should bring strong persuasion to bear on colleagues who cannot be so described.

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