Railway Wages.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 October 1922, Page 4

Railway Wages.

A SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT.

WELLINGTON, October 18

A good deal of curiosity was shown by Opposition members in the House to-day over the special agreement made by the Minister of Railways with tlie locomotive men’s association in connection with the recent wage reductions. The agreement provided for longer working hours -and some reduction of privileges ns a sct-olf against the locomotive men being relieved from a reduction of schedule wages. Mr Veiteh wished to know if all sections of the railway service had boon consulted over the matter and treated alike, and ho asked that the agreement be placed before Parliament. Mr Wilford, Mr Holland and other members supported this demand. Mr Atmorc suggested that there was something radically wrong when tlio journal of the locomotive men declared that the Government was the friend of the worker. Mr Holland pointed to the new schedule of locomotive men’s wages as a indication that, despite the agreement j they had suffered some reduction, j The Hon. I). H. Gutlirie. Minister j of Railways, replied that the Railway | Act Amendment Bill dealt only with j locomotive employees and wn s giving I effect to an agreement with their orI ganisation. When the .wages cut was j proposed the three railway societies I were informed and the Officers’ Tnsti- | tote stated that although they did not like a reduction they would have to accept it. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants declined to discuss any proposals, hut the locomotive men’s association recognised the necessity for a reduction and asked for time to make suggestions. They eventually, after consulting their branches, made proposals which were embodied in an agreement, Mr Veiteh : Can wo have the agreement?

Mr Guthrie: I have not seen it. (Opposition laughter.) Mr Vcitcli: You don’t know an agreement on which yon introduce legislation. Mr Guthrie: If T was constituted like the lion, gentleman T would not trust anybody. T know what is the effect of the agreement. The privileges given up cost Cl more than has been taken from the A.S.R.S. Mr Masters: As Minister of Railways you have never seen the agreement? Mr Guthrie: No. Mr Masters: Remarkable!