RAILWAY SERVANTS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 October 1919, Page 4

RAILWAY SERVANTS.

' NEW PAY INSUFFICIENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, October 22. At a special emergency meeting of the Wellington branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants held at Petone workshops to-day, the 'following motion was carried unanimously.- "That this mas s meeting of the Wellington branch of the A.S.R.S. considers that the Railway Bill'now before Parliament is totally inadequate in its provision for increases in wages to members of the second division; and also that whilst granting large increases in salaries to members of the first division the Minister of Railways refused the request of our executive to grant a further increase of 2s per day to members of the second divtsion. Further, that this branch will support the executive in any action taken to obtain recognition of our just demands. We are of opinion that this increase to the heads of the Department is a move to increase superannuation benefits, as most of them are of retiring age. The Woodville branch of the A.S.R.S. passed a similar resolution. SOME STRONG PROTESTS. , Wellington, Last Night. The Thorndon branch of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, at a, special meeting to-night, passed the following resolution: That this meeting of Second Division railwaymen strongly objects to the Railway Bill now before Parliament being made law in its present form. We also strongly protest against large increases of salaries being made to officers who are now eligible to retire on a handsome competency, thereby increasing their superannuation beyond a reasonable amount, whilst other men are entirely unable to make ends meet on the present wages. We further pledge our support to our executive in any action they may take in order to secure for us a living wage.

NAPIER PROTESTS. Napier, Last Night. The following resolution was carried by the Napior Branch of the A.S.R.S.:— That members of the Napier Branch of the A.S.RjS. strongly protest against the action of the management in increasing the first division salaries to such an exorbitant extent and alto, gether ignoring the second division claim? for increases: -we demand that our executive shall take immediate action and instantly re-open the whole of the schedule of the second division for a further increase of not less than 2/0 per day all round; we also wish to contradict a statement appearing in the daily papers re increases to the second division, which is absolutely contrary to fact. Tt was further resolved: This meeting also strongly condemns the action of the Government in banding over to the General Manager the adjustment of (he classification list and urges the Railways Committee to make the strictest and fullest enquiries into this matter; that the above resolutions are the outcome of the ever-decreasing purchasing power of the sovereign, and the inability of the National and Reform Governments to effectually deal with exploiting and the cost of living,

A special meetincr of rnilwaymen was lipid at New Plymouth on Tuesiky night to consider the Railway Bill now before the House. Tt was decided to protest against the autocratic powers proposed to be given to the heads of the department in regard to promotion, and the granting of no increase in wages to members of the Second Division, whilst officers eligible to retire receive large increases, amounting in some cases to £250 per year. At a largely attended and 'representative meeting of the Stratford branch of tlie A.S.R.S., the following resolutions were carried unanimously: We view with' alarm the attempt made in Parliament to confer' autocratic power on the "General Manager of Railways in the matter of promotion. If this is carried out, it will lead to en.dless trouble .in the service. We protest against the proposals to grant large increases in salaries to Ist division officers due to retire, while no provision is made to increase the wages of members of the 2nd division. We have confidence in the executive and pledge, ourselves to support whatever attitude they adopt to defeat these proposals.