RAILWAY WAR BONUS

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 13 July 1916, Page 2

RAILWAY WAR BONUS

A consideeable number of men on this section are interested in th 9 longpronaised war bonus, and it is a shame and disgrace that they should he so long kept out of it, no n~atte.r what the Government may throw out as an excuse. The men concerned throughout the Dominion rebeut the gross injustice in keeping bacx so long the promised Is per day extra while the war lasts. It was a promise made months and months ago, and though the Minister for Railways may place the excuse that the money had to be passed in the Appropriation Bill before he could pay out, he could have dipped his hand easily into some other purse for the time being, and so allay anxiety and feeling amongst many men with families who have no doubt mortaged the extra promised pay in household necessaries. The other day attention was drawn in the House of Representatives to the fact, that the Wanganui branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants had passed a resolution expressing dissatisfaction at th« non-payment of the promised war bonus for railwaymen. The Minister said that there need be no apprehension. It must be evident to members of the House said he, that the bonus could not be paid until the House had voted the amount. In the Financial Statement it was stated that as soon as the Ap« propriation Bill became law the full bonus would be paid iv a lump sum to those entitled to it.