RAILWAYMEN'S PAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 245, 14 October 1918, Page 4

RAILWAYMEN'S PAY.

"LOCO.-ENGINEERS' DEMANDS. EXECUTIVE MAY RESIGN". (By Telegraph.—Press Arjsociation.) WELLINGTON, this day. The grievances of locomotive engineers arc 6et out in a statement issued by the Association's executive. This pointe out that the Hon. J. A. Millar, when Minister of Railways, promised to bring the men's conditions more on a par with those of the Australian service, but before he could do this tho Liberal Government was defeated, and the present Minister had given preference to the First Division. Since the outbreak of the war the executive has done, all possible to avoid hampering the Government's activities m connection with the war, bat the position is becoming so serious, on aocount of the growing cost of living, that the. executive feels it must appeal to the Government to do the fair thing t>y the men. The Association bad asked to be allowed to come under tbe Arbitration Act. but the Minister had put. off consideration of tbis till men on active service return. If Parliament does not intercede for tbe. men the executive will resign, and this may lead to the Association taking more drastic steps to secure the wages and conditions desired.

XAPIER, this day. The Napicr-Waipuk-urau Enjrine-driv-ers and Fiermen and Cleaners' Union passed the foUtrwing resolution: ""Owing to the utter failure of the National Government to effectively deal with the cost of living problem, this meeting urges the executive council to demand a substantial increase of wages. We. also entirely approve of the efforts they are making to obtain at least time and ahalf for all-night duty during specified honrs."