INCREASE SOUGHT

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 46, 18 November 1926, Page 10

INCREASE SOUGHT

IN RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES

A.S.R.S. CLAIMS REPRESENTATIONS TO MINISTER Following fairly closely cu the heels of the E.F.C.A. claims, representations have been made to the Acting-Minister of Railwavs (Hon. F. J. Rolleston) by the Amalgamated Society cf Railway Servants for a general increase in wages for members of the second diviBl Just prior to his departure for England, the .Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. J G Coates) was approached by the executive of the X.SIR.S. on the question. The Prime Minister’s leply was that the men’s proposals involved Stell a large amount of money that the financial position of the Department at that time did not warrant l is considering them. Reference was made to the prices primary products were bringing, and Mr. Coates .advised the representatives to keep in touch with the Acting-Minister of Railways. Accordingly, the executive of the A.S.R.S, interviewed the Hon. F. .1. Rolleston on Mondavi “We had seen that the E.F.C.A., stated the president (Mr. O. T. Carlyle) to a Dominion reporter resterduy, “recently had a consultation with the Minister, and according to the reports published, received certain concessions. We-felt it our duty to revive.the question we had discussed with Mr. Coates. We did so, but the Minister’s reply was not very satisfactory.” The main increase urged, added Mr Carlyle, was in connection with the low paid men of the service—the men lio were cn (he basic wage. Those men received £1 Os. Bd. per week provided they worked a full week, and it was contended by the executive that at present prices, having regard more particularly to the exorbitant rents charged for their houses, it was impossible for the basic wage earners ip Hie service to maintain a decent standard <f living for •thtir families. Emphasis was laid on the fpct that lost time v as deducted, and that correspondingly decreased the amount the men received rt the end of the fortnight. The Minister, stated Mr. Carlyle, pro-, inised to go into the question rf the basic rate men, more parti.’iil.q.-ly with regard to those employed in shops who worked a forty-four hour week. “It struck us as most.peculiar," commented the president, “that tlie Railway Department did not have anv money to give our men. and ;et concessions given to another organisation must necessarily involve them .in a certain amount of expenditure.’’ Some'ouestions were rsked the Minister about the premium bonus rystem proposed to be introduced into the railway service. Int cs 1 c was onlv acting in that' capacity he Lad tio infet mation to furnish on the subject.