RAILWAY WAGES BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 26 March 1924, Page 1

RAILWAY WAGES BOARD

EVIDENCE: AT ENQUIRY. BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. WELLINGTON, iMairch 23. The Railway AVages Board inquiry was continued to-day, when Air Michael Connolly, the President of tlie Anwl'gamatedi Society of Railway Servants, gave a statement Afr Connelly alluded to the argument for the Department of Air Sterling in regard to the cost of living. Air Sterling had referred to the agreement reached in 1920, that the reduced hours .should he regarded as in full settlement of any claims made by the A.S.R.S. for any increase in wages in respect to the advance in the cost of living. He maintained that the people behind the Department (an allusion to Parliament) had violated the vital clauses of that agreement, treating it as a scrap of paper. They had broker the agreement by reducing the wages a year later by Is 8d per day. Replying to the Chairman, Air Connolly agreed that it was done by Act of Parliament, and applied generally. He contended that nevertheless was a broach of the agreement of 1920 Air Connelly went on to show how the cost of living had increased since 1914. The Soceitv appreciated what was being done hv the Department to provide homes ioi* the men, hut at- the present rate of progess, it would take 45 years to provide for 15.000 men in the service, and by that time the number of men in the service might he doubled.

Afr Alack said that they were principally concerned with the basic wage. Air Connelly said that the Society’s claims were founded upon the basic rale alone, and he objected strongly to family conditions and penalty rates, which were paid for special services, being taken into consideration. The minimum rate should he the basis. Turning to a 48 hour week. Air Connelly quoted figures to show that out. of 41 trades, callings, and industries, IS worked 44 hours a week, or under, and 14 worked 48 hours or over. Jn 191.4, out of 41 trades or callings, only seven were working 44 hours a week.