THE RAILWAY SERVICE

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1931, Page 7

THE RAILWAY SERVICE

REDUCTION OF STAFF. E INFECT OF ECONOMY MEASURES. WELLINGTON, March 27. There will be further reduet ions in the railway service shortly, when » large number of the- members of Lie permanent staff in all departments will be retiring on superannuation on completion of over (thirty-five years active service. The reduction of salaries and wages will cause a number ol tlie long service traffic members and artisans in the workshops to tender their resignation. It is reported that in the ease of the higher paid officials in the various the majority of those members who are within a short period of retirement will be retired with a view to making large reductions in the expenditure ol the service.

REDUCING EXPENDITURE. During the time the Reform party was in power, many increases were made in the salaries of the administration staff ami in the clerical division, and it is reported that with a view to effecting needful economy the Minister of Railways has decided that where officials drawing salaries obtained when the Railway .Board had control of the service are retired, their successors will receive salaries equivalent to those paid some years ago. This will save a certain amount and with the proposed' reductions expenditure on salaries will he more in keeping with the pre-war period. The whole of the district administrative officers will not be affected hut only those wbos,, positions wore created when the Reform Minister appointed many of the district officers to grades by which they received considerable increases in salaries, and many appointments were made that caused comment in the general division. It is stated that when some of the present officials holding these positions are in turn promoted or are retired, the positions will lapse. The officials who are promoted to the vacancies that have to be filled will receive their grade increase as is the case in ordinary promotion lmt with the reductions in salaries the increases will no:t be on anything like the previous scale. The members will be promoted in seniority of grade, providing that they have been recommended for such promotion, and tip. service will bo carried on as usual.

RESIGNATIONS. 'l'lio proposed reduction in salaries lias caused a number of officials 111 the running sections to tender their i'esigtlatiolis and several vacancies will be created in the locomotive running staff, foreman, and senior drivers, who arc within reach of the retiring age. These members will be in a better position now for superannuation than if they complete their full forty years. Foremen and guards with long service will also he retiring in many places and there will be numerous resignations in the workshops and maintenance departments. There have been several transfers recently in the general staff in the shops, and with the' proposed resignations there will be further transfers to be made after the' end of this month.