THE RAILWAYS.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16462, 4 March 1919, Page 6

THE RAILWAYS.

PREPARATION OF NEW SCHEDULE OF PAY AND HOURS.

THE FINANCIAL ASPECT.

(SPECIAL TO "TTTE TRES9.")

WELLINGTON, March 3

Tlio Minister of Railways will liavo his last conference with Railway servants in regard to rates of pay tomorrow, when ho will meet representatives of tlio senior officors of the service. Theso oflicors are few in number, and their caso should present no difficulties to the Minister. Mr Herries is pretty sure to recommend tho payment of increased salaries to theso men.

It will bo somo timo after this boforo the Minister will bo able to announco his proposed new schodule. This is in process of preparation nlreadv, but it will have to bo submitted to the different societies before it is published, tho reason being that it may be amended after consideration by the societies, and tho Minister does not consider that in tho meantime it would be wiso to publish tho demands of the unions. _ The questions at issue are most duncult, as affecting tho finances of the Railway cntcrpriso. Tho effect of a general increase in pay can be easily discovered, and tho financial effect or it calculated just as easily, on the safo assumption that tho railways will go on developing at the rate they have developed in other normal years. But the domands of the workers for improved conditions will liavo an important effect on tho finances, if they aro granted, and tho cffoct of tlio changes that will be necessary to give theso concessions cannot be ascertained so easily. For instance, if nil tlio Railway workers are to have an eight hours' . day, with spocial overtime rates after'the eight hours, the cost of maintaining the service will be much greater than it is now, with a 48 hours' week, the hours being worked at any time at the direction of the management. In view of tho fact that tho eight hours' day is general in other employment, the Government will almost certainly have to concede the oight hours' principle to those sections of tho Railway men most affected —tho traffic staff and tho loco- men. In view of the increased working expenses which must be the result of higher pay to tho Railway servants, the public will be wise not to expect an immediate remission of the war increase in faros and freights.