RAILWAY REFORM

Hokitika Guardian, 6 March 1920, Page 3

RAILWAY REFORM

•) j A SUGGESTION. ■ j [per PRESS ASSOCIATION. —COPYRIGHT.] ty- j ‘ be WELLINGTON, Maroli o. ak Full particulars was given by the ti- Chambers of Commerce conference yesn- terday and to-day to the Canterbury Chamber’s scheme for reform in the sn" ) management of railway construction sd in New Zealand. ;d The following resolution was car>n ried: “That in order to eliminate pon- litieal influence and promote efficiency ;c. and economy, the railways in course >y of construction and in prospect be jt taken over by the Railway Departit ment, and that the Canterbury remits i- be referred to the Executive for furit ther consideration and, if necessary, action; and, further, this conference affirms the principle of. non-political control.” ' The conference also decided that y the Railway Department be asked to r assume responsibility for the delivery i- of goods consigned to and from stations where there is a tablet porter in , charge; that the present position of - the charges made by the Railway Department at various parts for sorting goods is inequitable, and flint the Executive be asked to support the representations already made. JUSTICE STRINGER’S REPORT. WELLINGTON, March 5. Mr Justice Stringer’s report on the railway service was published to-day. The judge recommended a bonus of Is a day to married men, to widowers with children, and to single men with , dependents in the Second Division, and in Grades 2 to 7 (inclusive), of j First Division. ]

He considers tnat the increase upon the amended schedule of last year is justified on account of the increased cost of living. He estimates that the rise in the cost of living since the schedule was fixed justifies’an increase of 3s 5d a week on the basic wage of £3 12s a week; but he is satisfied that the increases in the schedule did not wholly compensate the service for the increase in the cost of living during the war period before the schedule was drawn up. Therefore he recommends the increase of 6s a week, but, as he considers that single men are not affected to the same extent by the cost of living, he suggests that the bonus be not paid to single men. The Prime Minister made a statement in reference to the report as follows :—“ln a subsequent consultation with Judge Stringer, it has been agreed that to single men in the First Division a payment of £7 10s a year be made, and to single men in the Second Division a payment of fid a day, both payments to be by way of bonus and commencing from January Ist of this year. WORKERS DEMAND. CHRISTCHURCH March 5. A demand, has been made by '-ie niefa working at the Otira end of the tunnel for an increase in wages. It stated that a minimum of £1 per d;:v is being asked. The Minister of Public Works was telegraphed to pay a visit to Otiri, but it is understood he cannot leave and that Mr Holmes, Engineer-’n-Chief has been instructed to go across to the West Coast. It. is stated the men working at tl.e Arthur’s Pass end of the tunnel are not. in sympathy with the movement. Further developments may be expected on Tuesday. RAILWAY PAY. WELLINGTON, This Day. After consultation with Judge Stringer Mr Massey agreed tat single men excluded from the railway award, should be paid half the amount granted married men, in the case of the first division £7 10s., second division six pence per day, beginning on January Ist last.