RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 8

RAILWAYMEN'S PAY

AN OPEN LETTER TO MR. MACK. GENERAL SECRETARY, A-S.K.S. r (To the Editor.) Sir,—l notice in the Wellington daily Press of December 5 copies of letdirected to''the Prime Minister, tho Minister of Finance, ,and the Minister of Railways, bearing upon the efforts of tho locomotive , men •■ in the direction 'of obtaining better pay and conditions, "as secretary of an organisation representing more than twice (he number of men than do the other combined railway organisations" (to oiioto from your letter). Ton ■ surely have been asleen, otherwise why this eleventhhour protest, and why your protest against any attempt by the Government in (lie direction of amending the schedules of the Classification Act this session on behalf of opo small section of tho sorvico to the exclusion of your society? Has your society not recently received ■ assurances from tho Minister of Rail-' wavs lhat no amendments to the Act will bo "entertained by Cabinet, this session, and that when such action is contemplated that your society will be advised and given nil opportunity of considering such proposed amendments? . By what right do you deny to the " locomotive organisation (which, by the way, is.an off-shoot of your society) the privilege of making representations in the direction of having urgent alterations (o the Classification 'Act? Arc • you not aware that, despite the Hon. Mr. Herries's assurances that no amending legislation affeetimr tlie public services. would he considered until after the war, .and certainly not this session, legislation has been'introduced by the Government providing for reclassification of the Post and TelegTaph Department, and removing that Department from direct control of the Public Service Commissioners?. Your protest on behalf of the lower-paid men may appeal to the. average non-thinking member of your society, but to those who do think.for themselves the only reason for your published protest will appeal to them a* a. veiled ;■ track on the loco, men's efforts and an assurance from yon to the Government that"the A.S.B.S. is content, with things as they are at. present. That the loco, men have grievances no one can deny.' That the A.R.R.S. members have grievances you do not deny. Apparently the efforts of the loco, men have roused you from vour sluinher. and it is a. matter for extreme reeret that infitead\Of pub'ishimr such stuff in the Press the A.R.R.S.' is'not at, this moment actively co-operatin? with tho locomotive men in an ronest endeavour to place the conditions of. service of the members of both oreanisations on a.niueh more satisfactory footing.— T am, etc.. "NOT A LOCO. MAN. December !), 1918.