RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' INCREASES OF PAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1269, 26 October 1911, Page 8

RAILWAY EMPLOYEES' INCREASES OF PAY.

, . 4 j Sir,—With reference to Hie amendments to tiie Government Railways Bill now • before tho Houso, it seems that the Miiil islers and members generally wish the J public to believe that this Bill grants ; increases to nearly all the members of ; the Second Division now on the railways, and by tho reference made to it by certain members, they seem to have an idea ' that the railway men will now be satislied. But no, they are not satisfied, and • have good reasons for not .being so. As sir. M'Larcn says, it is quite true that all the higher-paid men have received in--5 creases, but those who are receiving the r lowest wage, Bs. per day, namely, the porters, what are they getting? 'The " married men, mind yon, take notice, are 1 granted the muniticent sum of L' : )d.' per day (truly something for the Government 1 to be proud of), and the singlo men are ' to stand' at tho same rate of wage as 1 was granted in 1007. Yes, indeed, (he ■ members who congratulated the Minister in making the increases might well fee] ■ pleased with such a measure, which pro- > vides for the higher-paid men and spurns the man who is most deserving; and the i Minister, who was the means of allotting the different increases, and who somo • weeks previously said that he would give - increases to honest men only, might ' think the railway men will be satisfied with his most unjust Hill. The railway • men generally thought (he increases would ■ bo based on the increased cost of living, but, alas, I hose who expected increases ■ owing to their miserable rate of pay, and ' wore entitled to some consideration, were not even mentioned in this long-Icoked-lor Hail way Hill. ■ I ask you, sir, or any right-fhinking ■ man, is this justice when men who are already receiving 10s., lis., and 12s. per 1 day are granted an increase of Is., those ! of'a lessor wage sixpence, and the lowest of the whole staff nothing, when tho Bill was supposed to be introduced for these some low-wages men? No, sir, the Bill will not give satisfaction (o tho members of the Second Division, as tho porters' staff is tho largest in the Second : Division, so, therefore, the Bill is not so far-reaching as it would appear. In conclusion, I would urge upon all members who have the interest of the railway men at heart to see that some consideration is given to the lower-paid men beforo it passes its final reading. Thanking yon in anticipation,—l am, etc., JUSTICE. .v October 25,