RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2759, 1 May 1916, Page 6

RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

THE SHILLING A DAY

GRANTED AS A WAR BONUS

Railwayman of tlie Second Division are to liavo the increase of one shilling per day in wages, for which they asked the Government some two months ago This announcement was made by the Prime Minister on Saturday.

The increase is to be one shilling pelday in wages for all grades of the second division, and it will be payable as from April 1, to continuo during the war period. The Prime Minister stated that the increase was being given to compensate 'for the increased cost of living occasioned by the war. As was pointed out when the request was first made, thero are many men in the clorical branches of tlio first division of the service who rcceivc lower rates of pay than the second division men, and tho claims of these lower-paid men of the first division have yet to be considered by tho Government. The total annual cost to the State of the concessions made and to be made to the railway service, <will bo about £200,000 a year. The Government have yet to consider, also, the claims of other men in tfie Public Service who receive tively low salaries, and who therefore feel Keenly the increased cost of living. Up till 'the present, however, the Government have dealt only with the case of the second division of the railway service. .