RAILWAYMEN PROTEST

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1024, 15 July 1930, Page 16

RAILWAYMEN PROTEST

OBJECTION TO WAGES LEVY CRITICISM OF DISMISSALS From Our Oum Correspondent HAMILTON, Monday. Various recommendations in connection with the railway service were made at a packed meeting of the Frankton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants yester day. It was decided to protest strpnglv against any further dismissals until the A.S.R.S. Executive meets the Min ister in conference. It was further resolved to protest strongly against any system of rationing work as suggested by the Min ister, as such is regarded as being economically unsound and opposed to the future welfare of the railways. It was considered that the acceptance of the proposal would be a direct attack on the wages of railwaymen, many of whom were in receipt of wages much below the 1914 standard. A further resolution recommended a graduated levy for unemployment on all incomes, such money collected to carry a subsidy of £2 for £l, the money to be expended in finding useful employment. The Government is to be urged to bring all idle lands of the Railway Department into cultivation as one means of providing employment. The meeting further recommended that an additional tax be placed on all motor-vehicles in competition with the railways. The following resolution was carried: “That this branch expresses deepest sympathy with the relatives of Sir Joseph Ward. In doing so it is mindful of the remarks of Sir Joseph in bringing in the 48-hour week for railwaymen. Sir Joseph, as Minister of Railways, in presenting his railway statement in 1906, said railwaymen’s hours were to be 4S for six days and that he felt assured that the concessions were fully justified and of a character to commend themselves to everyone.”