OPPOSITION SHOWN

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1933, Page 5

OPPOSITION SHOWN

BRITISH RAILWAY WAGE CUTS.

AN UNPRECEDENTED DEADLOCK

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.)

LONDON, January 14

An unprecedented deadlock 'has been caused by the issue of five separate reports by the members of th e national wages board for the railways. Hith-. erto, th e board had always managed to agree on certain .principal findings. This time only the railway companies’ own nominees accept the companies’ full claim for wages reductions, these claims totalling fiv, e millions.

The Union delegates are unanimously against them, and the representatives of the railway users are divided, two b, P iu<T for. .and two against, the com-

panies’ claim. The chairman, Sir Harold iMorrs, has a separate report, in which he states himself hr favour of a reduction only to the extent of one-fifth off (what Mho railway companies demand.

This is accentdiia -- ’ * l ”' companies nor to the unions. None of the findings are binding.

The r-cwsnapers take a serious View of the situation. Some suggest that the end of the wages board as a method of conciliation may result, while financial and most of the Conservative organs express the opinion that tlv> milwav companies’ ease has been proved. w’-a .-‘Thrlv TfxpvPfts” H"~ Em vW that wages cuts will only incr ; the trade depression by reducing th e p°oplo's spending power. It says the companies and the unions agree t 0 the chairman’s recommendation.