THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1880.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2037, 3 September 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 1880.

The value of regulating the conduct of Government departments on ordinarycommercial and common sense bases is singularly demonstrated by the state of affairs now obtaining in connection with the, railway employees. In dealing with a large body of men clearness of instruction is the first sine qua 11011. Few have time or opportunity to follow the intricacies of the proceedings in the House, much less the resolutions that may be passed in Ministerial conclave. Consequently this same 10 per cent, reduction has been hitherto a mystery, a description of bogey whieh has terrified those that have come across it. Hadthe employees been clearly notified that the intended 10 per cent, reduction did not apply to wages men, but that in their case a graduated scale of reduction was intended, then the attitudo they have taken up would clearly have been modified. Any large employer of meD, other than a Government, would never have allowed such a cloud of mystery to hang over such a vital question, for he would know that the sure result would be discontent among tho individuals in his employ. This is quite apart from the question as to what the intended scale of pay may happen to be. As to that point it seems to us clear that Government employees should not be exceptionally treated in any way. Their wages should be the wages current in the colonies, due regard being had to the rate of living and the burden of taxation to be borne in this particular colony. And that a necessary comparison may be possible it would seem advisable that the conditions of labour should be assimilated as much as possible with those that exist in the ordinary walks of trade. The fact that the railway employees are not paid for overtime imports into the question a factor which disturbs all calculation. As long as such a state of affairs exists it seems impossible for the true bearings of tho case to be arrived at. What the men themselves want, wo take it, is not to bo treated in an exceptional mannor but to be placed on the same footing as their fellow-workmen who are in good employ elsewhere. The Goyernment evidently should bo a beneficent, but not an extravagant, master. It can no more afford to pay exceptionally high wages than can A or B. But on the other hand it should not, in any way, be a niggardly master. With regard to the application of a 10 per cent, reduction to a past period, it is difficult to see how tho Government I

can mako out a case for themselves. The idea is quite an exceptional one, and is both arbitrary and unjust, and we are glad to hear it has been abandoned. Whether the samo has taken place with respect to the men who are drawing salaries is not very clear, but we hope it is.

Finally we mnst congratulate the railway men as a body on the moderation and order with which their meeting last night was carried out. There was no demagoguism allowed, and they appear to fully recognise the gravity of the position. We trust that tho samo spirit may prevail throughout. Of course, when tho revised scale of wages is issued it is very possible that what the men may consider their just duo will not exactly tally with what tho Government may have decidod on the question. But nothing is lost by calm consideration, and the calmer it may happen to be, tho more will the public be likely to sympathise and assist.

In two of the wards of tho city the ratepayers will be called upon to decide as to who sball represent them in tho City Council. Of the decision there can be little doubt. During the past year the members of tho Council have, according to their rights, honestly and faithfully discharged their duty. It is true that on several occasions wo have had to disagree with their action, but as a whole we take it that tho ratepayers are satisfied with their representatives. This is proved, we think, by the fact that no action has been takon to nominate any one in the two wards whose candidature really evinces the desire of the ratepayers to chango. It seems a pity that some means wore not devised to spare the expense which we can ill afford of contested elections, for which there is not the slightest necessity. Had the ratepayers felt that the two members had neglected their duty, then it would soon follow that eligible candidates would have been brought forward. As it was, one of tho candidates went round soliciting persons to come forward without success, and having been entrusted with a nomination paper, duly signed by proposer and seconder, he filled it up with his own name. Let the burgesses consider that the Councillors have done good service, and are, therefore, more entitled to their confidence than untried men.

We have much pleasure in accepting Mr. Oherrill's explanation, to be fonnd in his letter in another column, with regard to the blowing up of the Victoria street well. The writer informs us that, although he offered to do the work, he did not in any way assist in practically carrying it out. We havo written before on the subject, and we can only regret that Mr. Cherrill has not explained the matter sooner. We wrote on what we considered reliable data, and our impression has been shared by a large number of citizens. But of course we accopt at once Mr. Cherrill's version of the story. Wo even feel inclined to go further and suggest that, if Mr. Cherrill had operated personally, a perennial flow of water would have rewarded his enterprise. The gods would probably have signified their approbation of the manner in which Mr. Cherrill has, at all times, carried out his duties as a Councillor by turning the tap on with superhuman energy.