RAILWAYMEN IN BRITAIN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1919, Page 5

RAILWAYMEN IN BRITAIN.

THE WAGE QUESTION REVIVED.

"WILL NOT TOLERATE DELAY."

By Telepaph.—Press Assn.—Copyr'Jht.

_ London, Nov. 8. The Tail way wage question is again threatening. Special delegates to the conference of the National Union decided that the demand for the standardisation of wages must be immediately settled. The decision was communicated to the Premier, who agreed to meet the executive on the 13th.

The men demand the fullest standardisation, namely, that each grale shall be paid the highest pre-war rate paid by any railway, plus 33s war wage, and contend that this principle, Which was established in the case of drivers and firemen, must be extended to all railway employees, though the Government contend that the drivers' settlement established no principle, but merely save them their deserts. The Daily Telegraph states that the delegates adopted an extreitie attitude and instructed the executive to inform the Premier that delay would not be tolerated. Mr. J. H. Thomas. M.P. (General Secretary of the National Union of Rail? waymen) declared thrthe settlement must be immediate and satisfactory. It is suggested in some quarters that the renewal of the union's extreme demands must be taken in connection with the reported Government preparations for possible eventualities. The Daily Express states that a circular was recently issued to students in a large engineering college in London askinjr if they Were prepared to volunteer their services. It is reported that 1800 volunteers were enrolled for the London underground lines. Union officials assert that an extensive organisation is already in existence for replacing the strikers.—Aus.-IT.Z. Cable Assn.