KAILWAYMEN'S PAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2719, 14 March 1916, Page 6

KAILWAYMEN'S PAY

GOVERNMENT'S DECISION

MUST WAIT TILL END OF FINANCIAL YEAR

The text of the letter sent by the Prime Minister to the president of tho Amalgamated Society ol Railway Servants, in reply to tho demand for increased rates of pay, is published hereunder. As already stated, the demand of tho A.S.R.S., if granted in full, will mean increased expenditure of £200,GQO annually, and as other services may demand like consideration, tho amount involved may really provo to bo much more than this sum. The reply of tho Government is in effect that the request cannot be considered finally until tiie end of the financial year.

"March 9. "Dear Sir, —Referring to tho recent interview between representatives of your society and the Minister of Railways and myself with regard to the proposal that on account of tho increased cost of living the wages of men in the Second Division of the Railway Service should he increased during the war period, I have to inform you that tho matter was considered by a full' meeting of Cabinet this week. "Tho proposal was fully and thoroughly discussed, but being a very much larger question than appeared at first sight, it was found impossible to arrive at a definite decision before tho end of tlio current month. It is scarcely necessary for me to remind you in this connection that March 31 is the close of the Government financial year, and as the proposal, if agreed to, means the payment from the Treasury of a very large sum of money, possibly involving increased 'taxation, Ministers came to the cliiclu<iion that, in justice to the people of the Dominion as a whole, the financial position shouldi as far as possible be definitely ascertained, before further liabilities were incurred. "I may inform you that in the event of an increase being agreed to by Cabinet, such payment will commence as from the now financial year, viz., from April 1 next. I may say, further, that Cabinet was unanimous with regard to the decision which has so far been arrived at, and which is herein couveyed. for the information of your so-

ciety. "As soon as possible after the financial position of the Dominion lias been ascertained, a meeting of Cabinet will be held and a (Jcfhut'e decision will he arrived' at, which will be communicated to you not later than the 30th proximo. _In the meantime, should your society desire to make any further representations we shall be glad to receive them either by _ letter or by deputation.—Yours faithfully, "(Signed) W. F. MASSEY."