THE RAILWAY SETTLEMENT.

Taihape Daily Times, 10 May 1919, Page 8

THE RAILWAY SETTLEMENT .

SUB'STANTIAL CONCESSIONS

WELLINGTON", May 9

The decision of the Railway Conference to endorse the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants' Executive Council's action in connection with the Department's new schedule greatly improves the industrial outlook. I understand that a great deal of time was spent early in the conference answering scores of questions from delegates, who represented 42 branches, from Dargaville to Invc-rcargiU, re grading, and the actual meaning of the new condition. The Society's president and executive gave an exhaustive explanation. showing that acceptance of the eighthour day principle, and payment for night work, was a much bigger advance than was realised by the men generally. Evidently much of the hostility to the schedule was due to lack of comprehension of its full importance. The Conference was satisfied that its executive had secured the maximum possible under the circumstances, but. a feeling prevailed that! anless *h> cost of living soon decreased railwaymen would have to again appeal for in-

creases of wages.