A.S.R.S. AND WAGES DEMAND.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3511, 24 June 1920, Page 5

A.S.R.S. AND WAGES DEMAND.

TIiIBURAL'S DECISION. RUMOUR OF TWO SHILLINGS ADDITIONAL BONUS. MEETINGS TO-NIGHT. Special general meetings of the Auckland and Newmarket branches of Ihe A.S.K.S. have been convened for ibis evening for the purpose of members hearing Mr M. J. Mack, general secretary, and Mr R. Moore, executive councillor, of the A.S.R.S., report on the result of the recent tribunal that was set up purposely for considering the demands of railwaymen for increased wages and better working conditions. Members are reminded that the businesg is urgent and important. For weeks they have waited for something definite to come of the tribunal's deliberations, and now they are looking forward expectantly to what the two officers of their Society have to tell them.

While it is stated that nothing definite is known by the men respecting the tribunal's decision, they are nevertheless freely discussing a suggestion of a proposed bonus of two shillings, in addition to the shilling bonus at present being paid. Some are against its acceptance, on fthe jground that when the cost of living decreases. they will lose it, while other s favour its acceptance on the ground that it might eventually b c turned into wages, and in the meantime there will be no deduction made on account of it in respect to superannuation. The sum originally claimed by the .men was 2/6, but this was some time back, and since then the sum has leapt up substantially on the ground that the cost of living is ever on the increase. The respective branches passed resolutions embodying suggestions re what the amount to be demanded should be. The suggested two shillings, together with the one shilling which the men are now receiving, is said to fall short of their demands, but there are some of them who state that they did not expect the Government to offer (as much a s two shillings in addition to the one shilling, while others are emphatic in their determination not to accept it. An officer of the Society expressed the view yesterday morning ,that two shillings would not be acceptable. Mr Mack is reported as having stated that the tribunal had been very satisfactory both as regards to the demand for increased wages and better working conditions. Whether the offers to be submitted this evening will be accepted or not will be decided by ballot at an early 6 , ate_ In' connection with the message from Palmerslofl NoiTthi that, "#he dfisfcmte has assumed a serious phase, and that the A.S.R.S. is very dissatisfied, and that strike rumours are in the air, it i s quite 'possible for the tribunal's decision to have reached the men.

CHIEF ITEMS OF NEW AGREEMENT. SUBSTANTIAL INCREASES. CHHISTCHUECH, June 23. M. Elliott, president of the Lyttelton branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, addressed two meetings of railway men at Lyt,telton to-night on the ncsv agreement made between the £ove,!rnnient and the A.S.B.S. and the E.F.C.A. The chief item of the agreement is that the Stringer award of one shilling per day bonus has been increased to 3/- per day as from April Ist last. This means that the lowest rate of pay for any member of these railway branches will be 15/- per day. Shunters are also to receive a small increase in their regular pay. Double rates are to be paid on Sundays. Christmas Day, Good Friday, King's Birthday and Labour Day with a minimum of four hours to be paid f«r. In regard to annual free passes, all restrictions as to their use on holidays have been removed and railwaymen can now use their passes by any passenger train. No resolutions were passed at either meeting. AUCKLAND, June 23. The finding of the committee set up by the Government to inquire into the New Zealand railwaymen's dispute (A.S.R.S. section) was explained at large meetings of the A.S.R.S. at Newmarket and Auckland by the General Secretary (Mr M. J. Mack) tonight. The meetings were most enthusiastic and passed a resolution according a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Mack and congratulations to the President, general secretary and exeutive council for the magnificent efforts put forward on behalf of the A.S.R.S., also recommending members to vote for acceptance of the proposals.