RAILWAYMEN'S WAGES.

Taihape Daily Times, 15 January 1919, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN'S WAGES.

o ■ INCREASED BONUS GRATED. WELLINGTON, January T 4. Replying to a statement by the secretary of the Railway Locomotive Enginedrivers, Firemen and Cleaners' Association in regard to pay, the Minister of Railways stated to-day that the Association had been, informed that he was quite prepared to meet its representatives and discuss grievances next month, and that he would be also corferring with the represetatives of tho Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants and the Railway Officers' Institute with a view to reaching an agreement as to an amendment of the schedule of the Government Railways Act to be introduced next session. Perma.ncnt wages were covered entirely by the schedule, which had to4be approv-* ed by Parliament. Meanwhile, until thx? statutory schedule was amended, the bonus system would be continued. This provided an additional 3s daily throughout the Second Division for married men, and 2s per day for single men. With a bonus of 3s per day a married first-class driver received a total of 16s 6d a day, which was 6d a day for a similar position in Australia. For lower "grade men, the wages, with bonus, were considerably higher than the rates for similar men in Australia. The question of working conditions could not be determined until the matter of wages had been settled.