RAILWAY WAGES BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1924, Page 3

RAILWAY WAGES BOARD

[by tkleg iiai‘ll — nut muss association.] WHAT 2s Od INCREASE WILL ME \N WELLINGTON, -March 27 Information as to the cost mvolv.-d, if the 2s Od per day increase appb-.-d for Ivy the A..S.K.S. for members of the second division, were extern led to cover all members of the Public Service, was placed before the Railwiy W ages Board to-day. Tito Chairman (Mr Acland) said that recognising the fact that if the railway men were, granted an increase, rises might nave to be given in other branches of the service and that it affected the whole community. He had asked for a return. Mr Sterling submitted a return showing that the estimated number of persons employed by the Government at the 26th March, 1921, was 53,163 and the estimated cost of the all round increase of 2s (id per diem would be 62,093,830, including in the. case of the railwayman 613,830 for overtime. At the Railway Wages Board meeting, Mr Acland remarked that apparently the Board was unable, at present, to come to any decision upon wages. He suggested they should go on anil consider the other remits. Ml- Connolly said he would prefer to throw the lot of them in as lie could not see where they were going to get by discussing the other items for they all depended on the amount ol wages decided upon. Mr Acland said they did not loci justified in coining to a conclusion until they had further evidence. .Mr Connolly said that would mean sitting for another three weeks. It. was a matter of bread and butter and the men wanted an early decision. Further discussion on the cost of living graphs and other matters were taken in committee.