THE NEW RAILWAY SCALE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2043, 10 September 1880, Page 3

THE NEW RAILWAY SCALE.

TO THE EDITOB OP THB PRESS. _ Sib, Permit me to call your atteution to the new scale of wages about to be enforced throughout the Middle Island railways. The committee, having fully investigated the proposed new rates, have determined that upon the whole the rates of pay are fairly dealt with. But I wish to bring before your notice a case or two, that, upon further consideration will, I think, show full grounds for a re-adjustment, viz —Fitters, turners, smiths, &c, 8s 6i to 10a 6d; laborers, 6s per day. The difficulty that occurs to my mind at the first glance is the odd factors of< 63, for virtually they will be 8s to 10s ; for even if retained, it is below the standard of competent artisans in private firms—Bs 6d for a skilled workman to commence work on the best class of work in the country is not calculated _to draw to the service first-class meohanics, as after a varied colonial experience I can vouch that he could receive more in any private firm. I think that 9s to lis would be a better standard for the service, that would reduoe the wages Is a day, viz., from 10s to to 9i, but would still hold the incentive for really first-class labor, namely, lis. I may say that with the whole of the case before me, that a strong feelingjexists on this point, and that a manifest injustice will be done if this case is not re-adjusted ; besides which, such alteration would give the Government this advantage: it would get a day's work done ungrudgingly, which would more than counterbalance a day's work done with the feeling that it was equal to the pay. I may further point out that the committee feel that such revision would change the aspect of affairs, as it would virtually satisfy Canterbury, and would be the key to fix the scale of pay, and thus avoid that which looms in the air—a strike—which it is every man's duty to avoid. And further, it is not in equal ratio to other classes, and is a poor recoup for seven years' apprenticeship and studj ; for a first class laborer will get 7s to Bd, which hardly makes a division between the two. Many other points oocur which further investigation present, but as I fear to trespass further on your epace, will oonclude by asking your kind insertion of the foregoing. Yours, &0., Ah Employe.