RAILWAY CRISIS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 95, 16 January 1920, Page 7

RAILWAY CRISIS

« GOVERNMENT'S REPLY DISCUSSED DELEGATES' LIVELY DEBATE VEIL LIFTED FROM LAST WEEK'S PROCEEDINGS (By Telegraph-Press Associfltion-Copyrijrht (Rec. January 15, 10 p.m.) London, January 15. Although tho railway position is indefinite,, the •adournment of the discussion upon the Government's reply is regarded as a hopeful sign. The delegates participated in tho liveliest four-hour debate without coming to any decision. Some of the delegates declared that more modifications of detail and the removal of certain anomalies would not meet the demands of the branches. Only the Government's "acceptance of the principle of standardisation, based on the highest wages, plus a war bonus, and the Government's abandonment of the sliding scale, would justify the delegates voting for a settlement. Meanwhile the official organ partially lifts the veil from last week's proceedings. Tho organ publishes an official report of the meetings, showing that only ono item of the Government's offer was accepted, namely, the standardisation of railway work by tho elimination of a large number of grades. The meeting resolved to demand standardised wages, based on the highest rate of wages, plus u war wage, in each grade concerned, and rejected tho principle of a sliding scale based on the cost of living, because the cost of living is not the only factor on which wages should be fixed, and would tend to stereotype the present standard of comfort and prevent any improvements being obtained, irrespective of how the productive forces of society may improve. The meeting also demanded that a large number of railwaymen excluded from the proposals should be included, and also that any settlement should be applicable to Irish railwaymen. The decisions were communicated to Sir Eric Godilos (Minister of Transport), who wrote observing that the dcletrates •had overthrown the whole of the throe months' negotiations and reverted to tho original demands, which the Government had decided it could not conccde.-Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Iteuter.' MEETING WmTTHE MINISTER GOVERNMENT PREPARED TO MAKE CONCESSIONS. (Eec. January IG, 0.30 a.m.) London, January 15 ; i The meeting of railwaymen with Sir Brio Gcddes this afternoon lasted two hours and a half. The proceedings were, most friendlv. and the frankest discusBion took place. Sir Brio Geddes stated .that the Government was prepared to make substantial concessions, but; was nut willing to vicld on the general principle. Ho said the Cabinet was anxious that the railwaymen should givo tire new 6cheme a fair trial. Mr. J. IT. Thomas, (general secretary of the National Union of lfailwaymcn.) thanked Sir Eric Geddes for carefully considering the men's objectfons to tho Government's proposals. He said that the matter would be fully submitted to a. meeting of delejsales this evening, and tho National Union of Railwaymen would subsequently reply to the Government's new olfcr. Sir Eric Geddes emphasised that. Cabinet was anxious to reach a settlement acceptable to all parties. Mr. Thomas, replying, said that the National Union of Railwaymen would do all that it could to help towards tnat cud.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.-Iteuter. BREWERY STRIKE ENDED EMPLOYEES' TEEMS ACCEPTED. Sydney, January 15. The brewery employees have declared the strike off," and are reluming to work on the employers' terms.—Press Assn. - A FORTYIoUR WEEK DECIDED UPON BY BUILDING ' TRADE EMPLOYEES. Sydney, January 15. The building trade employees have decided that from February 1 they .will work only a •10-hour week—Press Assn. NO SUNDAY WORK FOR BAKERS. Sydney, January 15. A meeting of'the Bakers' Union resolved in future not to-work on Sunday. —Press Assn.