RAILWAY MEN AND THEIR TREATMENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 3

RAILWAY MEN AND THEIR TREATMENT

Following is an extract from a leading articlo in the "Now Zealand !Kailwa,v Hcview":--".Ifailwrt.vmen, though surrounded wil.li examples of tho success of llio inil'.iant trades unionists, have withstood many temptations to abandon strictly lonstitutional methods of securing lcdrcw of service grievances, but their faith has had such a severe shock that, we are quite prepared to see new methods in the future. ,ln fact, while the railway management is what", it is. wo think om menibcrs would bo well advised In abiin don any, hope of friendly co-operation with Ilia .Department. 'J'hoy will oniy gain what is their duo at .the sword's point, because tluj force of reasonable argument, will not appeal to men who iiavij shown a decided prejudice against the rani; and file of the service. Their, class spirit is evidenced in tho way in which an attempt was made to grant big increases to tho highest officials of tho Department, while the moil who cannot make finds meet on thu present wage are told to await the recommendation!! of a .Hoard of Inquiry before they will know whether any increase is to bo recommended—and it will still bo subject to the pleasure of the Government. / It required 110 board or complicated procedure to add to the salaries of the .£9OO a year class a sum in excess of what the best' paid second div.sion innn is able to earn in a whole year. Parliament, even with it? Conserva.ivo majority, could not swallow so shocking a contrast between the inadequate dole to the. worker and the princely increase for the official, and it was modified. Jne proposal was another indication that the h>h officers of the railway service, looking forward to early superannuation are not so much concerned about Ihe niture of the railways as their permanent comfort, consequently the/rank anil We ol t.he service ore faced with ihe ty for a strong and hitter fight before they i win reasonable from thes-c I pelty-iniiulcd lmcksterers."