MEETING OF RAILWAY EMPLOYES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2033, 30 August 1880, Page 3

MEETING OF RAILWAY EMPLOYES.

A meeting of the railway employee was i held yesterday morning, at the rear of the , engine sheds, in order to consider the 10 per cent, reduction. About 250 to 300 people were assembled, some of them having walked from Styx and Lincoln in order to be present. Mr Earnshaw, who occupied the chair, opened the proceedings by stating the reason for which they had assembled. He then read the report of the meeting of the Dunedin employes from the “ Morning Herald” of the 281. h inst., which showed that the Dunedin men were prepared and determined to resist the reduction. Mr Ashdon then moved, and Mr Orr seconded, a resolution to the following effect: “ That we the employes on the AmberleyPalmerston section of the Middle Island railways, in conjunction with the Dunedin employes, pledge ourselves to resist the reduction of our wages.” The Chairman t hen introduced Mr Wilson, a delegate from Dunedin, who spoke to the resolution. He said that he had been sent from Dunedin to represent 400 men, who were determined to struggle to the last against the reduction of their wages, and that the railway employes, as a clues were an intelligent set of men, who deserved a “ fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work.” He then referred in very strong terras to the resolution which had been moved in the House of Representatives by the hon. the member for Riverton, that ail Civil servants should be disenfranchised. Mr Wilson also said that the property and beer taxes had been described throughout the colony as unjust and inquisitorial, but how much more unjust was a tax, for he could call it by no other name, that took from £l2 to £2O a year off the wages of hard working men. He then criticised the following circular, which has been posted up in all the engine sheds throughout this island:—‘The Hon, Minister for Public Works has decided ,that a deduction of 10 per cent, shall be made from all salaries, pay, wages, &0., from Ist August, 1880. The Hon. Minister wishes it to bo notified to the various employes that the deduction of 10 per cent, is made on the wages from Ist to 21st August, because there has not been sufficient time to properly adjust the rates for the various classes, but that the scale of pay will bo decided on before next pay day. It is also wished that the employes bo informed that they are not singular i" this : 10 per cent, deduction, it having been strictly 1 enforced in the ease of every Government 1 employe.” He concluded his speech by call- ' ing upon all present to vote for or against the ' resolution, as it seemed just or otherwise to them, and if they made up their minds to ] fight against this reduction the strong must give all their aid to weak brethren in the 1 battle. i

Tho Chairman having asked if anyone wished to propose an amendment, put the resolution to tho meeting, and it was carried unanimously by a show of hands. A collection was then made to defray the necessary expenses, and the sum of £9 6s was collected in a few minutes and handed to the Treasurer. Telegrams were read from the railway employes at Ashburton and Timaru, which stated that the men at these centres were willing to resist the reduction, and would abide by the decision of the mooting. Tho following resolution was then put to the meeting and carried—“ That if the ten per cent, reduction is enforced this meeting gives full power to the Committee to act as they think proper.” Votes of thanks to Mr Wilson for the manner in which he had expounded his views, and those of the Dunedin men, on the subject, and also to the Chairman, were then carried. The meeting, which had been a very orderly and well conducted one, then terminated.