DOMINION ITEMS

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 October 1944, Page 2

DOMINION ITEMS

RAILWAYMEN’S WAGES . WELLINGTON, October 27. Dealing with the reply by the RailA way Department to the claim by the Railway .Tradesmen’s Association for a general increase in wages, the association drew the attention of the Railways Tribunal to the monetary loss to employees because of delay in the adjustment of. wage anomalies caused by the introduction of the 40-hour, week. It was stated that on the department’s estimate it. would cost £261,400 to accede to the R.T.A. claim. The department saved about £380,000 by the tardy adjustment of the anomaly. „ _ .. The Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants asked that the wage rate of maintenance employees be not reduced when they were transferred from relaying to resleepering work. . Wljeh the tribunal adjourned till Monday it was hearing submissions by Mr. L. Mcllvride in support of the claim that the present method of classification of signalmen and storemen on a percentage basis be abolished and advancement be by annual increments from minimum to maximum fates. PETROL FOR LAUNCHES CHRISTCHURCH, October 28. Mr Nordmeyer, for the Minister ol Supply, announced to-day that the War Cabinet had decided the following allocations for launches and other pleasure craft for the coming season, November, 1944, to April, 1945. inclusive, would be made available. Motor boats:—Water-line length: Up to and including 25 feet, 2 gallons a month. Over 25 feet and including-30 feet, 4. Over 30 and including 35ft, 6. Over 35ft and including 40ft, 8. Over 40ft, 10. Sailing yachts with auxiliary engines and boats using outboard motors up to and including 5 h.p., 1 gallon a month. Over 5 h.p., 2. “I appreciate this represents a reduction on the amount allowed for this purpose last year,” said the Minister, “but since that date there has been a much greater call upon petrol resources, particularly in Europe. This naturally affected the whole petrol supply position, and it has not been found possible to make available the same allowances as were made last year.”